2024-02-16 21:06:41
The national government highlighted the new function of aircraft that were previously used to spray glyphosate over territories, now converted into a tool to face the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and combat environmental crimes in Colombia.
The president participated in the presentation of the Forest Fire Extinguishment and Environmental Protection Program, led by the National Police, describing this change as “radical.” Petro pointed out that these aircraft, which previously “dropped poison on our land,” can now “drop water on our land with a success that is life.”«.
Accompanied by the Ministers of Defense, Iván Velásquez, and Environment, Susana Muhamad, as well as the director of the National Police, General William René Salamanca, President Petro highlighted the fundamental role of these aircraft in the fight against forest fires and environmental crimes, such as illegal mining and deforestation.
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The Program has a fleet of 15 aircraft, eight of which are already operational, with the remainder scheduled to be incorporated in the coming weeks. These aircraft will not only fight forest fires, but will also be used in operations against illegal mining and the protection of wastelands and water sources.
“Their capabilities will be fundamental to consolidate the nascent research center for the control of environmental crimes in the Colombian Amazon,” said the director of the National Police.
President Petro praised the conversion of these aircraft and the commitment of the Public Force in protecting the environment. The Minister of the Environment, Susana Muhamad, highlighted the change in focus towards a comprehensive vision of securityhighlighting the key role of cooperation and protection of the environment by the National Police and the Public Force in general.
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