Colombia president Gustavo Petro tells 57-country talks on a green energy transition that fossil fuel interests could destroy humanity
Jonathan Watts and Fiona Harvey in Santa Marta, Colombia
The world is threatened by a “suicidal” model of capitalism that is leading to war, fascism and the potential extinction of humanity, Colombia’s president has said, as he convened 57 governments to address the climate crisis.
Gustavo Petro blamed fossil fuel interests for taking ever more desperate measures to prevent a transition to green energy. “There is inertia in the power and the economy of this archaic form of energy – fossil fuels – that lead to death. Undoubtedly, that form of capital can commit suicide, taking with it humanity and [other] life,” he said. “The question that needs to be asked is whether capitalism can truly adapt to a non-fossil energy model.”
Colombians will head to the polls next month to elect a new leader, with Petro, who was elected the country’s first leftist president in 2022, barred by the constitution from seeking a second consecutive term. The former economist and guerrilla member said the world was in a perilous position: “We are heading towards barbarism. And barbarism is the prelude to, or the very essence of, fascism.”….
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/capitalism-colombia-climate-summit-gustavo-petro
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