On the 8^th of August, ICA (Instituto Agropecuario Colombiano) has confirmed the presence of the devastating plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, tropical race 4 (Foc TR4, or recently renamed as F. odoratissimum), in two banana plantations in La Guajira, Colombia.

Strong quarantine and contingency measures were taken when the presence of the pathogen was suspected early this summer, and after the confirmation, the state of emergency has been declared in the country.

This is the first report of the disease in South America, one of the most important banana producer regions worldwide, where the industry is key to their economy.

Further details in the links below:

ICA (in Spanish): https://www.ica.gov.co/noticias/ica-amplia-y-refuerza-las-medidas-que-ya-venia-im

Science (in English): https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/08/colombia-confirms-dreaded-fungus-has-hit-its-banana-plantations