The debate raged over the environmental future and sovereignty of Gorgona Island after political sectors and citizen organizations sparked controversy over the presence of an alleged military base in the national natural park. The controversy arose not because of the usual tourist attraction of the place or the sighting of animals, but because of serious accusations of militarism and alleged violations of the preservation of the rights of local communities on the banks of the river.
The discussion gained public notoriety after a statement issued by the Gorgona Rescue Committee, in which the alleged start of military operations from the so-called “Gorgona Military Station” was denounced. According to the group, The military presence constitutes illegality, as the environmental permit authorizing the project is still pending The required modifications to mitigate environmental impacts were not implemented.
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The committee also confirmed that the facility “Strengthens US strategic control in the eastern tropical Pacific“, pointing to the history of funding from Washington and warning that there are “irreversible impacts” on the islands’ ecosystems.
The statement also cautioned against the international context, pointing to alleged bombings carried out by the United States in the Caribbean and Pacific, which – according to community leaders such as Klaus Alzamora – It affected the safety of local fishermen and caused panic among many families in the area. Furthermore, the committee held President Gustavo Petro and his government directly responsible for the continuity of the project, and demanded the cancellation of any military agreement and the final cancellation of the environmental license.
The controversy raged on social networks, where Muir’s representatives, such as Jennifer Pedraza, Jorge Robledo, and activist Andres Pachón, repeated their complaints about the militarization. From his account on X, Robledo warned: “In defense of the Isla Gorgona National Natural Park, the unique ecological jewel in the world that… @petrogustavo should not become a US military projectFor his part, Pachon described the situation as an advance “through the back door” to transform the island into a Coast Guard base that serves American interests.
In this scenario, the government responded by visiting the Director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd), Carlos Carrillo, who personally traveled to the island to inspect and verify the real situation of the works. from the ground, Carrillo toured the facilities and recorded videos that he later posted online, detailing that what he found on the island were reconstructed cabins.The residence and construction of a research center, as well as the presence of the National Navy in regular functions.
“It was dawn in Gorgona and I did not come to see the whales. I came to look for a supposed military base,” Carrillo said, adding that the parks department “He does a great job rebuilding the cabins and accommodations and building the research center. “This is what the government of President Gustavo Petro is doing.”
Carrillo stressed that the controversial radar, which raises disputes over its destination, will be installed with the resources of the national navy and will be used primarily to monitor and ensure maritime sovereignty. He stressed that the presence of naval forces comes in response to the tasks of control and protection in the natural park and not to the operations of foreign forces: “Nothing secret. Nothing American. Nothing ‘Pietro hands over the Gorgon’.” He also noted that in the past there were projects financed with foreign capital, but currently there are no initiatives of this kind under the Petro government.
Despite the evidence provided by Ungrd, opposition sectors, including Muir spokesmen and environmental activists, They insist that there are inherent risks resulting from militarization, and demand transparency And halt all actions until the ongoing legal proceedings are resolved and the rights of communities and the integrity of the ecosystem are guaranteed.
The Gorgona case continues to focus the national discussion by placing issues such as sovereignty, environmental governance and the role of international cooperation in strategic areas at the centre. At the same time, the island remains at the center of a controversy in which the balance between security, development, environmental preservation and government transparency requires constant attention and monitoring.