Colombia’s climate crossroads: Trumpism casts shadow over presidential battle

S everal hours after dark in a quiet Caribbean neighbourhood, a cluster of environmental activists gather on plastic chairs between a mango tree and a courtyard wall emblazoned with the words: “Colombia, respira!” (breathe Colombia). So many people have turned up that some are forced to stand. That is because tonight’s speaker, Susana Muhamad , is one of the most admired socio-environmental campaigners in the world and this is a moment of profound historical significance. This month’s presidential election will decide whether Colombia remains a global leader on the climate and exemplar of “popular environmentalism”, or whether it switches to the side of fracking, mining and other forms of fossil-fuelled extractivism. In other words, whether it will change from green to grey. The movement is braced for a struggle. President Gustavo Petro of Pacto Historico is constitutionally barred from serving a consecutive second term so the party has selected Iván Cepeda to run for president and continue his policies. The far-right candidate, Abelardo De La Espriella, and centre-right candidate, Paloma Valencia, are both enthusiastic about reopening the oil spigot and fracking. US interference is a big concern with the US president, Donald Trump, talking of military intervention in Colombia. President Gustavo Petro of Pacto Historico cannot serve a consecutive second term so the party has selected Iván Cepeda to run for president. …