" the rogue politician part "

Don't lose sight of the fact the Ortega was in charge of MinAmb for a couple of months before the environmental permit was actually issued to GRZ (and promised to KRY). Her signature must have been on the GRZ permit when they got it in March last year, and then suddenly a year later everything is reversed? Did the forest suddeny grow in that year and all the existing environmental damage repair itself?

GRZ's plan and application was made to the "Equator principles" standard for environmental impact, which was much more stringent than the Venezuelan environmantal law. I assume KRY's application was similar although someone might like to enlighten me as to whether it was drafted to the "Equator Principles" of not.

The sudden change of heart by Ortega has nothing to do with forests or any real environmental concerns IMO. There is a political power play going on. I doubt that Ortega is the sole player but Brisas and Las Cristinas are just pawns in a bigger game.