BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia ’s outgoing environment minister warned Friday that the incoming government could reverse recent climate and conservation gains, pointing to its support for fracking and fossil fuel development and what she described as climate skepticism among some officials.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres said she fears Colombia could lose ground on climate action at a time when the country is already confronting increasingly severe environmental challenges, including El Nino, a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that can disrupt rainfall patterns and trigger droughts, floods and extreme heat.
“Arriving with an attitude of climate denialism is absolutely dangerous,” Vélez said.
The comments come weeks before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella takes office on Aug. 7 following a narrow election victory that marked a sharp political shift in Colombia after four years under President Gustavo Petro. The outgoing administration sought to position Colombia as a global leader on climate diplomacy, Amazon protection and a transition away from fossil fuels.
During his campaign endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump, de la Espriella pledged to revive Colombia’s oil sector, voiced support for fracking and argued the country should make greater use of its natural resources to spur economic growth. Environmental advocates and some Indigenous leaders have warned that greater emphasis on extractive industries could increase pressure on environmentally sensitive areas, including parts of the Amazon rainforest.
About 42% of Colombia’s territory is covered by Amazon rainforest, and the Petro administration made rainforest protection and a transition away from fossil fuels central pillars of its environmental agenda.
Among Vélez’s biggest concerns is the future of Indigenous environmental governance in the Amazon. She said she worries the incoming administration could weaken recent efforts to recognize Indigenous authorities as key environmental decision-makers and reduce support for Indigenous territorial governance initiatives.
She also expressed concern about the possible return of aerial glyphosate spraying of coca, the plant used to make cocaine, describing the herbicide as “potentially carcinogenic to humans” and saying its use had caused lasting environmental and health impacts in Colombia.
Vélez also warned about expanded fossil fuel development and mining in Colombia’s paramos, unique high-altitude wetlands that supply water to millions of people.
The incoming administration has rejected some of those characterizations. Fabio Arjona, the marine biologist chosen by de la Espriella to serve as environment minister, has said environmental debates should be less ideological, criticized what he called “environmental hysteria” and defended the possibility of fracking under strict controls while saying it should not occur in protected areas such as national parks and paramos.
Representatives for de la Espriella and Arjona did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
Vélez said the change in government should not erase recent efforts to reduce deforestation, restore ecosystems and strengthen protections for wetlands, paramos and the Amazon.
“We have a legacy that, despite our differences, should be preserved,” Vélez said. “It would be an unforgivable mistake to abandon this agenda simply because it comes from a different political sector. Social and environmental justice must remain at the center of the political agenda.”
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FILE - The Putumayo River flows near visible spots of deforestation on the outskirts of Puerto Asis, Colombia, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia, File)
FILE - Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, left, waves to supporters next to his wife Ana Lucia Pineda during a Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira, in Chiquinquira, Colombia, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)
FILE - Colombia's Environmental Minister Irene Vélez Torres talks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Botanical Garden Jose Celestino Mutis in Bogota, Colombia, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Mikel Merino is Spain's World Cup hero once again, and even he finds it hard to believe.
A mere four days after Merino scored a clutch goal as a substitute in injury time to beat Portugal, he found himself in the right spot again in the quarterfinals when Belgium's backup goalkeeper spilled the ball into his path.
Merino booted it home in the 88th minute, sending Spain to a 2-1 victory Friday and into a titanic semifinal showdown with tournament favorite France.
“I’ve done this again, and it’s happened to me again, so it would seem that coincidence exists,” a smiling Merino said. “If you’re ready and you try, I guess it can happen for you.”
Already a versatile contributor in any role he can get as a depth player for his country or English club Arsenal, the multi-positional Merino has transformed into the ultimate super-sub while providing exactly what Spain needed to survive two knockout matches against top opponents.
Merino has scored two goals in his first World Cup — and they're both historic.
“Honestly, it’s crazy to be able to help the team once again,” he said. “This time in a different way, but at the same time to believe and trust that the opposing goalkeeper could make a mistake and to stay alert. ... I prepare for when the moment comes, and hopefully they keep coming.”
Merino is the first to admit he also needed luck, and Belgium keeper Senne Lammens provided it after he was forced into his first World Cup match in the 71st minute by an injury to starter Thibaut Courtois.
Merino came on in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch of the match, charging into the box and pouncing after Lammens lost control of Pau Cubarsí’s long shot.
Fabián Ruiz scored a rebound goal in the 30th minute for Spain, but Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere evened it with the first goal allowed by the Spanish team in the entire World Cup in the 41st minute.
Merino's clutch goal against an upset-minded Belgium sent La Roja to the semifinals for the first time since they won the World Cup in 2010. A powerhouse matchup with France has been anticipated since the draw was announced late last year, and Spain was grateful to secure its spot.
“We came here for this, to play against the best teams in the world,” Merino said. “We are confident in our possibilities, at the same time respecting the opposition. This is one of those games that you dream of when you’re a kid, and now we have the chance to compete against a massive rival. Hopefully we’ll get the win.”
Spain and France will meet Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, in a matchup anticipated for years. Neither team has lost at this year's World Cup.
“It will be a clash of giants,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said through a translator. “We are capable of winning this game — and not just now, but I would have said this a few weeks ago as well. They are a great giant of football, but I trust our team.”
Courtois made four saves, but the Real Madrid keeper went down to the grass in the second half after a long kick. He received treatment during the hydration break, but broke down in tears when coach Rudi Garcia removed him moments later.
Only Germany's Manuel Neuer has played more World Cup matches than Courtois' 21. Lammens, the capable Manchester United keeper, was forced to become the first goalkeeper other than Courtois to play for Belgium in the last four World Cup tournaments — and he wasn't able to make the play that would have kept it level.
“We were on equal footing with Spain, and we have nothing to feel bad about,” Garcia said. “In the first half, they only had one chance, but they were very efficient. Unfortunately, to beat a team of this caliber, you need luck on your side as well, and it was too much for us to get into the semifinals.”
Belgium desperately pressed for an equalizer in the final minutes with substitute forward Romelu Lukaku leading the effort, but Aymeric Laporte acrobatically volleyed the best chance out of the box in the second minute of injury time.
“We knew how we could hurt them, and I think we did this today," Belgium defender Brandon Mechele said. "It’s a pity that it ended like this, but I think we can be proud of the tournament we played.”
Spain remained unbeaten in 37 straight competitive matches since March 2023, while Belgium's streak of 18 consecutive unbeaten matches across all competitions ended.
Spain didn’t allow a goal in its first five matches at this year's tournament, and goalkeeper Unai Simón hadn’t conceded in a World Cup-record 650 minutes dating to Qatar.
The streaks abruptly ended when De Ketelaere muscled past Cubarsí and headed home a cross from Timothy Castagne for Belgium’s tying goal.
Belgium hadn’t generated anything close to a strong scoring chance before the latest big moment for De Ketelaere, the Atalanta forward who scored two goals in Belgium’s 4-1 rout of the co-host U.S. on Monday.
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans was removed from the starting lineup after getting injured during warmups. He joined injured defender Amadou Onana on the sidelines.
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
Spain's Mikel Merino (6) celebrates scoring their second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Spain's Pau Cubarsi goes for the header with Belgium's Brandon Mechele (4) and Belgium's Timothy Castagne (21) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/ Jae C. Hong)
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere heads the ball flanked by Spain's Marc Cucurella during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) controls the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Spain's Fabian Ruiz (8) scores their opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) challenges for the ball with Spain's Marc Cucurella (24) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
