A pipeline leak from Ecopetrol, Colombia's state-owned oil giant, has devastated the San Silvestre wetlands, flooding them with crude oil in October. The company denies responsibility despite evidence of widespread contamination. Local fisher Luis Carlos Lambraño described the scene as catastrophic, with hundreds of fish, birds, and other wildlife dying overnight.

Compounding the environmental disaster, criminal gangs known as "gasoline gangs" are tapping pipelines to steal and sell fuel on the black market. These groups have resorted to violence to protect their territory, creating a climate of fear among local residents. Yuly Velásquez, president of a sustainable fishing organization, warned that these armed groups will kill anyone who interferes with their operations.

The ecological damage extends beyond immediate wildlife deaths. The wetlands ecosystem, crucial for local food security, faces long-term contamination that threatens the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing and agriculture. This incident mirrors previous oil disasters in Alaska, Louisiana, and Illinois, highlighting the persistent risks of fossil fuel infrastructure.