Hydrosocial Conflicts and Social Management of Water in the Magdalena River (Colombia), Magangué Case (Bolívar)

This article analyzes hydrosocial conflicts in Magangué, Bolívar (Colombia). The study combines documentary analysis and ethnographic fieldwork with systems modeling tools such as causal loop diagrams and stakeholder mapping. This article identifies a total of 23 conflicts, all linked to the degradation of the aquatic ecosystem and involving a range of stakeholders, including local communities, businesses, environmental authorities, and territorial entities. These conflicts range from pollution caused by production activities to land appropriation and biodiversity loss. The study reveals causal and interdependent relationships among conflicts, prioritizing those with the greatest systemic impact. It also maps tensions and responsibilities through stakeholder networks. This article examines Constitutional Court Ruling T-163 of 2024 and the Cascaloa Action Plan 2025–2037 as mechanisms for water governance and ecological restoration, highlighting the role of communities in defending their territories and building participatory governance. The article concludes that hydrosocial conflicts reflect structural inequalities and that institutional responses must incorporate water and environmental justice approaches to guarantee the right to water, ecosystem sustainability, and the dignity of riparian communities.