Illicit economies—such as coca cultivation, gold mining, and cattle ranching—pose significant threats to traditional environmental commons, including forests and watersheds across Colombia’s frontier regions. In areas like Vistahermosa (Meta), Puerto Guzmán (Putumayo), and Tumaco (Nariño), economic transitions reflect shifts in the dynamics of armed conflict in the aftermath of the Peace Process. The shift from coca cultivation to cattle ranching and gold mining has resulted from the vertical integration of coca production into select areas, alongside state-led eradication and substitution campaigns. Organized armed groups (GAOs) exploit these dynamics by regulating and taxing economic activities, blurring the boundaries between informal, illicit, and criminal markets and transforming regional landscapes. GAOs often control coca production and mining operations, using cattle ranching to launder money and appropriate land, further embedding these activities within local economies. Securitization and eradication efforts have frequently aggravated environmental degradation, while alternative development programs have struggled to provide sustainable livelihoods, leaving vulnerable communities dependent on illicit activities. This paper discusses our findings from extensive fieldwork in these three municipalities in Colombia and explores the intersections of illicit and licit economies, environmental harm, and the management of the commons, focusing on the challenges of state interventions, community adaptation strategies, and the influence of armed groups across biodiverse environments.
