La evolución del ecocidio como crimen transnacional en Colombia y América Latina.

Abstract

This article analyzes the conceptual and legal evolution of ecocide and its potential recognition as a transnational crime within the Colombian and Latin American context. Using a qualitative and comparative-legal approach, it examines the main national and international normative, doctrinal, and jurisprudential sources, with special reference to the Palermo Convention (2000) and the Rome Statute (1998). The study argues that contemporary environmental crimes—such as deforestation, illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, and large-scale pollution—have a transboundary and organized nature that exceeds the capacity of national legal systems. Consequently, it proposes the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, as part of a global environmental justice framework. The findings highlight that international cooperation, legislative harmonization, and the establishment of a supranational environmental criminal framework are essential to address the ecological crisis threatening the planet’s sustainability and the survival of future generations.