[This is an unofficial translation by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, summarising the original article in Spanish that can be accessed here]

“Unveiled: Colombian Govt. sued for US $16,500 million under FTA with the USA, over creating Yaigoji Apaporis National Park”

The intention of three mining companies to sue the government was discovered through documents recently published by the government itself; the case would be submitted under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Colombia and the United States over the decision by the Colombian Govt. to create an area of natural protection instead of authorizing mining permits in an Amazon region…Tobie Mining & Energy (US), Cosigo Resources (Canada) and, Cosigo Resources Colombia branch maintain that their gold mining project was unfairly delayed and that the consultation process to approve the creation of the Yaigoji Apaporis National Park was fraudulent.  On their side, affected indigenous communities…alleged irregular proceedings by the companies when trying to start the mining operation…Due to the creation of the natural reserve these companies had to suspend any mining activity…Today, there are 700 recognised cases of complaints by investors.  In 2016 alone there have been at least four cases against Colombia…