Colombia exits ISDS — amid growing global pressure

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Subject: Colombia exits ISDS — amid growing global pressure

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Dear Friend,

The Colombian government’s decision to withdraw from the international investment protection regime marks a significant step away from a system that has consistently privileged corporate rights over environmental protection and democratic decision-making.

Colombia has faced a surge of ISDS claims in recent years, largely in the extractive sector. Over the past three years, TNI has been part of sustained international efforts, engaging policymakers and highlighting the risks these mechanisms pose to public interest regulation.

This decision comes amid growing international pressure. In March, more than 200 economists and legal scholars called on Colombia to move forward with exiting ISDS and to help build a broader coalition of countries stepping away from these mechanisms.

Our new report, ISDS in Numbers, shows that this reflects a wider regional pattern: across Latin America and the Caribbean, ISDS claims are heavily concentrated in extractive sectors and continue to raise concerns about policy space.

By Bettina Müller and Luciana Ghiotto

Read the report

These dynamics are also visible on the ground, as shown in Mexico in our new documentary And Yet We Exist (Pero Sí Existimos).

Why this matters: Colombia’s move reflects growing regional and international scrutiny of ISDS and its implications for environmental governance and public policy.

Source (Spanish): Official announcement from the Colombian government

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