The article, authored by a former Ecuadorian Minister of the Environment, recounts experiences from 2002 during the presidency of Gustavo Noboa. It highlights a direct relationship with Colombian Minister Juan Mayr amidst concerns about the environmental policies of Colombia's new President, Álvaro Uribe. The former minister portrays Uribe's ascent as alarming for Colombian environmentalists, marking a shift in priorities that endangered environmental protection in favor of attracting investments.

Uribe's administration is critiqued for its 2002 Law 790, which merged the Ministry of the Environment with other sectors, notably reducing the focus on environmental governance. This change was perceived as a significant setback by environmentalists, as it prioritized economic development over environmental concerns, threatening the autonomy of environmental authorities. This legislative shift prompted fears that the quality of environmental oversight would be compromised in the face of development projects.

Furthermore, the article discusses how Uribe's government recognized that environmental licensing processes were obstructive to infrastructure and energy projects. By identifying these regulatory frameworks as 'bottlenecks,' the administration sought to streamline processes to promote economic activities, raising alarms for those concerned about ecological degradation. The piece sheds light on the longstanding tension between environmental regulations and economic interests, particularly in the context of Colombian governance at the time.