Invasive water weed threatens El Salvador wetland

Lake Suchitlan in El Salvador is under threat from an invasive aquatic weed known as water lettuce. Once a vibrant hub for tourism and fishing, the lake is now covered in thick green vegetation.

Volunteers and navy troops are working to clear the weed, but environmentalists warn that pollution feeding the plant must be addressed for lasting results. The local economy, reliant on tourism, is suffering as cleanup efforts lag behind the weed’s rapid growth.