Invasive plant threatens livelihoods in Colombia’s largest coastal wetland
Associated Press
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A fisherman tries to remove some of an invasive plant called a Hydrilla verticillata Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Buenavista, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A boat navigates between homes surrounded by an invasive plant called a water hyacinth, also known as Eichhornia crassipes, in Nueva Venecia, Colombia, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)Girls walk to school surrounded by an invasive plant called a water hyacinth, also known as Eichhornia crassipes, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Buenavista, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A man navigates near an invasive plant called a water hyacinth, also known as Eichhornia, in front of a church Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Nueva Venecia, Colombia, where dozens of people were killed by illegal armed groups on November 22, 2000. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A child jumps into a container of water Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Nueva Venecia, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A heron tries to fly from an invasive plant called a Hydrilla verticillata that coats the water Thursday, April 30, 2026, on the outskirts of Nueva Venecia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A fisherman throws his net to fish Thursday, April 30, 2026, on the outskirts of Cienaga, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)Homes are surrounded by a water hyacinth plant, also known as Eichhornia crassipes, in Nueva Venecia, Colombia, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)The children are transported by boat to go to school near homes surrounded by an invasive plant species called water hyacinth plant, also known as Eichhornia crassipes, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Buenavista, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)Jhon Cantillo, a local environmental and social leader, poses for a photo as he travels through an invasive plant called a Hydrilla verticillata Thursday, April 30, 2026, on the outskirts of Buenavista, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)Santander Cueto, a fisherman, removes pieces of an invasive plant from his netting Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Buenavista, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)Santander Cueto, a fisherman, removes pieces of an invasive plant from his netting Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Buenavista, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A fishermen tries to navigate while surrounded by an invasive plant called a water hyacinth, also known as Eichhornia crassipes, Thursday, April 30, 2026, on the outskirts of Nueva Venecia, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)Fish are unloaded while surrounded by an invasive plant called a water hyacinth, also known as Eichhornia crassipe, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Nueva Venecia, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)A fisher throws his net Thursday, April 30, 2026, on the outskirts of Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)
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A fisherman tries to remove some of an invasive plant called a Hydrilla verticillata Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Buenavista, Colombia. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)