2024-09-15 21:10:31
President Gustavo Petro has rejected the threats made by the dissidents of ‘Iván Mordisco’ against the communities that participate in the Amazon rainforest conservation program.
Petro denounced that alias ‘Iván Mordisco’, leader of the FARC dissidents, has tried to extort the Colombian government in order to continue with his illicit businessessuch as cocaine and coltan trafficking, in exchange for allowing the development of the Conservar Paga program. This project encourages local families to contribute to the preservation of the forest and the reduction of deforestation in the Amazon.
“The coltan business is useless, the cocaine business is useless, if the forest burns,” said the president, referring to the serious situation facing the Amazon region. Petro emphasized that the destruction of the forest represents a direct threat not only to Colombia, but to all of humanity: “It is the prelude to the death of all of humanity on planet Earth,” he added.
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The head of state rejected any attempt at extortion and spoke out firmly: “This is not extortion against Petro… this is extortion against all of humanity.” According to the president, allowing the illicit businesses of alias ‘Mordisco’ to continue would destroy the future of the region and the planet. Petro also highlighted the need to transform the region’s economy, moving from illicit activities such as drug trafficking to nature tourism, bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture.
Despite the harsh criticism, the president called for dialogue, inviting alias “Mordisco” to discuss the possibility of a change. “I say to ‘Mordisco’: let’s talk. If you want, talk to me. See the face of the one who wants to kill. That’s what happened to me with Carlos Castaño once. Come wherever you want, and talk, let’s talk, even about business. I propose this one, which is better,” said Petro, referring to the opportunity to build a future based on peace and sustainable economic development.
In his speech, President Petro insisted that ‘Iván Mordisco’ could become a leader who promotes life and the well-being of the Amazon rainforest, instead of being remembered as a criminal. The president stressed that “the destiny of a man is to be loved by his people… to be remembered as a man who contributed to the future,” urging alias ‘Mordisco’ to abandon violence and participate in the protection of the Amazon.
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