Colombia Law: rights of the Rancheria River

Summary

On August 8, 2024, the Congress of Colombia passed a law granting the Rancheria River legal rights. “The purpose of this Law is to declare the Ranchería River, its basin and its tributaries, as an entity subject to rights for its conservation, maintenance and restoration by the State and with the effective participation of the communities that live in the area of ​​influence of the Ranchería River, in the department of La Guajira.” Law 2415 mandates the creation of the Ranchería River Guardians Commission, involving representatives from Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local communities and environmental authorities, and the creation of an Action Plan for the restoration of the River and its ecosystems.

The Río Ranchería provides critical water to La Guajira, Colombia’s northernmost department. In 2011 the government built a dam across it, cutting off access to the river. Wayuus – Colombia’s largest Indigenous group – make up over one-third of La Guajira’s population, around 1 million people. The group has lived in the area for at least 3,000 years, and water plays an integral role in Wayuu culture. Numerous Wayuu communities claim the Cerrejón coal mine has contaminated and depleted the river, leaving tribes with little water to drink or grow crops with. Mine spokespeople deny the accusations.