Petro denied that the fires in Tolima were caused by “leftist terrorists” and asserted that there were ulterior motives behind them: “Land grabs”

Colombia is currently experiencing a surge in forest fires, with the department of Tolima recording the highest number of active conflagrations in the country. As of late August 2026, the disaster is being attributed to a combination of the second dry season of the year and the onset of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has brought high temperatures and minimal rainfall to the region.

President Gustavo Petro has publicly addressed the crisis, rejecting claims that the fires are the work of left-wing terrorists. Instead, he suggested that the incidents are driven by underlying economic interests, specifically the pursuit of land. The situation remains an active emergency, with authorities continuing to monitor the environmental impact and the spread of the flames across affected areas.