Irene Vélez

Irene Vélez is the Environment Minister of Colombia. She is currently newsworthy due to her involvement in the government's plan to manage the growing population of hippopotamuses descended from those originally imported by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s. These hippos have become an invasive species, displacing native wildlife and posing a threat to local communities. Recent developments include the authorization of a plan to cull approximately 80 of these animals through euthanasia during the second half of 2026. Minister Vélez stated that this decision was made because previous methods, such as neutering, have proven to be both expensive and ineffective in controlling the hippo population. Her role highlights the challenges of managing introduced species and balancing conservation efforts with the needs of local populations.