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

Colombia is a global leader in climate activism. Could US influence drag country to a future of mining and fracking?

Several 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.