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Invasive Plant Threatens Livelihoods in Colombia’s Largest Coastal Wetland
The plant has cut fishing catches, blocked water routes and raised costs for residents as officials say removal efforts are underway.
- Environmental leader Jhon Cantillo described how invasive plant Hydrilla verticillata has choked Colombia's 428,000-hectare Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta wetland on Tuesday, blocking essential waterways in the Caribbean coastal ecosystem.
- Spreading rapidly since mid-2025, the Asian-native plant thrives on nutrient influxes from the Magdalena River, which fuels eutrophication. Dr. Sandra Vilardy, a professor at Universidad de los Andes, suggests maritime transport or dredging likely brought it to the region.
- In Nueva Venecia and Buenavista, residents call the plant "horse tail" as dense mats clog fishing routes. "We can't work because of this plant," said 61-year-old fisherman Santander Cueto, noting the vegetation tangles nets and blocks movement.
- Blocked channels force residents to collect water near contaminated sewage sources, sparking protests. Community leader César Rodríguez Ayala said, "If the fisherman can't work, the shop doesn't sell," demanding faster government action.
- While environmental authority CORPAMAG noted no expansion since March, locals fear mass displacement—a risk Cantillo said "we didn't have 20 or 25 years ago." The community manually clears "lifeline" passages as national control guidelines remain pending.
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15 Articles
Plant threatens livelihoods in Colombia’s largest coastal wetland
Leaning over the side of a small speedboat, Jhon Cantillo scoops up a thick clump of bright green vegetation, holding it up before gesturing toward the horizon, where the plant spreads across the waters as far as the eye can see. From above, the plant forms dense, almost carpet-like mats that stretc...
·Kelowna, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 39%
C 46%
15%
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