Dr. Yesid Blanco is a recognized environmentalist and founder of the Yariguíes Regional Corporation and the Magdalena Medio Extractive and Environmental Studies Group -GEAM in the city of Barrancabermeja. The ecologist and environmental activist and doctor has made important contributions to the study of the impacts on the health of children in Barrancabermeja, has denounced cases of corruption behind the management of water in Barrancabermeja and has made a strong opposition to extractive projects such as fracking that are intended to be established in the Magdalena Medio blocks. His research on the increase of the presence of mercury in the water of the Cienaga de San Silvestre, has led to several complaints regarding the commissioning of landfill owned by Empresa Rediba ESP, denouncing environmental damage to the protected area DRMI Ciénaga San Silvestre and the serious risk to human health- these were filed with the Attorney General's Office, the Attorney General's Office, the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic. Because of his work, Dr. Yesid has been subject to a campaign of persecution and threats, including a series of phone calls with death threats in late October 2018.