Cocaine production driving deforestation into Colombian national park
Catatumbo Barí National Natural Park protects unique, remote rainforest in northeastern Colombia.
Satellite data show the park lost 6.2% of its tree cover between 2001 and 2019, with several months of unusually high deforestation in 2020.
Sources say illegal coca cultivation is rapidly expanding in and around Catatumbo Barí and is driving deforestation as farmers move in and clear forest to grow the illicit crop, which is used to make cocaine.
Area residents say armed groups are controlling the trade of coca in and out of the region, and are largely operating in an atmosphere of impunity.