Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro said Thursday he would not allow a proposed highway to be built through a protected nature reserve on the outskirts of the city.
The proposed highway, which would connect the north and south of the city on its western edge, would destroy parts of La Conejera Wetlands, a large sanctuary for native flora and fauna.
During a community meeting in the wetlands, Petro said, "While we are the administration in Bogota and we are in a democracy, we shall not allow this project."
The mayor said he had an alternate proposal that would avoid the wetlands and include "a commuter train that would work with [Bogota's proposed] metro."
The mayor concluded that "The priority is education; creating awareness of these wetlands."
The Bogota government has previously described the wetlands as "an environmental treasure."
