‘This is what I was born for’: the drought-ridden Colombian town that took on Coca-Cola Femsa – and won

La Calera, Colombia, experienced severe water rationing between April 2024 and April 2023, with residents facing up to 15 days per month without water for essential needs. This scarcity occurred despite the town's proximity to the Chingaza reservoir, which supplies approximately 70% of Bogotá's drinking water. During this period of drought, residents observed that local springs were being depleted, and investigations revealed that Coca-Cola Femsa, the drinks giant's subsidiary, was drawing significant water from these springs for its bottling operations. This discrepancy led to a community mobilization against the company's water usage. The residents' efforts culminated in a successful challenge against Coca-Cola Femsa, resulting in a victory for the town in securing its water resources. The conflict highlighted the tension between industrial water consumption and community needs, particularly during environmental crises.