Road to rainforest ruin

A man riding a motorcycle on an illegal road made during the deforestation of the Yari plains in Caqueta, Colombia. — Reuters

GOVERNMENT measures to destroy illegal roads in and around Colombia’s Amazon rainforest are stalled, with one operation suspended altogether over concerns it could set back peace talks between rebels and President Gustavo Petro’s administration.

The construction of roads through rainforests in Colombia by rural communities, cattle ranchers and illegal armed groups is a major contributor to deforestation, environmental experts and scientists say.