Increase in Deforestation in Colombia Threatens the Amazon

• Deforestation in Colombia increased by 43% in 2024.
• The main reasons include illegal cattle ranching and mining.
• Over 65% of the loss of forest occurred in the Amazon region.

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, the Colombian government reported a significant increase in deforestation in the Amazon region for 2024, which surpassed the levels recorded in 2023. According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the meteorological agency IDEAM, the country lost 113,608 hectares (about 280,700 acres) of forest, which is 43% more than in the previous year.

The main reasons for this increase include the expansion of pastures for livestock, illegal agricultural agreements, illegal construction, and the cultivation of narcotic crops, such as coca. The Minister of Environment, Lena Estrada, noted that the increase in deforestation was also partially caused by forest fires during dry spells, which are intensified by climate changes.

The largest forest losses were recorded in the regions of Meta, Caquetá, Guaviare, and Putumayo, which fall into what is called the "Amazon Arc," where illegal cattle ranching and land grabbing are actively occurring. More than 77,000 hectares of forest were destroyed outright in the Amazon, accounting for 65% of the total area of loss.

Despite the increase in deforestation in 2024, Colombia still demonstrates a decrease in forest loss compared to the baseline year of 2021. In 2023, the country recorded the lowest level of deforestation in 23 years. However, early warning systems indicated a rebound in deforestation in the first half of 2024.

Estrada emphasized that these figures indicate the government's failure to protect forests and biodiversity, but they have not been sufficient to curb deforestation.

Tags: Ecology