Colombian Senator Jorge Robledo has proposed that the government meet to discuss the rejection of a plan to construct a seven-star mega hotel in Colombia’s Tayrona National Park, on the country’s north coast, according to a report by El Espectador.
Senator Robledo is firmly against the project, saying, “Tayrona National Park is one of the most important natural resources on the planet. Those who have travelled the world say it is the most beautiful place in the universe.”
Members of Colombia’s Congress are in favor of re-opening the discussion in regards to the mega hotel project.
According to Senator Daira Galvis of the Cambio Radical Party, “the park is a relic of ecology and environment, which represents world heritage.”
Senator Robledo has made his opposition to the project clear. “A similar project was launched by a president 30 years ago, but the entire country rose up against it. So, I will join with whoever will join with me to make sure that this project does not happen,” Robledo affirmed.
According to a report by Caracol Radio, President Juan Manuel Santos has spoken out in favor of the project. In response to increasing opposition to the project, the president said that the hotel will be friendly to the environment and promote eco-tourism in the country.
According to Santos, the project will be perfectly adapted to the environment and will be respectful of the cultural and environmental wealth of the region.
Indigenous groups native to the national park feel betrayed by the government after a letter was signed claiming that there were no indigenous people living in the area.
This failure to recognize their existence has caused indigenous groups to speak out against the proposed project. Indigenous leaders have said that their rights are being ignored by the government, which has granted the Davila Abondano family permission to begin construction.
