In Colombia, environmental activists such as Waldina Muñoz face severe threats despite governmental promises of support. The country leads in killings of environmental defenders, with 79 documented cases in 2023. While President Gustavo Petro aims for environmental reform, widespread violence from criminal groups and corporations continues unabated, highlighting inadequate safety measures and systemic neglect of defenders, especially Indigenous peoples.
In Colombia’s Putumayo region, Waldina Muñoz leads Guardians of the Forest, a group of Indigenous Pasto women dedicated to environmental activism. Engaged in reforestation and conservation education, they oppose detrimental oil and mining projects. Despite their efforts, Muñoz faces violence, including threats and displacement, showcasing the perilous conditions for environmental defenders in Colombia, where such assaults have escalated even amidst governmental commitments to environmental justice.
Colombia is noted for having the highest number of documented killings of environmental activists globally. In 2023 alone, a staggering 79 defenders were killed according to Global Witness, accounting for 40 percent of environmental killings worldwide. Alongside lethal violence, defenders endure nonlethal threats, criminalization, and forced disappearances as they confront powerful economic interests in agriculture, mining, and energy.
President Gustavo Petro’s administration has aimed for environmental leadership, facilitating initiatives such as banning new oil and gas exploration and advocating for a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty. However, the entrenched violence persists, assailing efforts to foster peace and protect land rights amidst a backdrop of organized crime and inadequate governmental support.
Environmental activists like Muñoz contend with ongoing threats from criminal organizations and even some corporate interests that view their land activities as obstacles. Indigenous defenders are particularly vulnerable as they stand as custodians of biodiverse territories. Nearly half of those killed globally in 2023 belonged to Indigenous communities, signaling a pressing need to address safety challenges faced by these defenders.
International advocacy has garnered some recognition for Indigenous rights, with events like COP16 affirming their role in climate discussions. Yet, the effectiveness of these agreements in ensuring safety for grassroots activists remains uncertain. Even as structural mechanisms for protection exist, actual implementation remains insufficient, leading to a pervasive sense of vulnerability among defenders.
The Colombian government’s intentions to support Indigenous environmental authorities do not adequately translate to safety measures. Historical inadequacies persist, as fewer than 10 percent of protection requests have been honored, leaving defenders at high risk of harm. The prevailing atmosphere of impunity exacerbates their plight, wherein only a meager fraction of crimes against defenders result in judicial proceedings.
Colombian officials acknowledge the severity of violence against social leaders but emphasize the obligation to engage with local communities during extractive activities. Nonetheless, rural residents perceive a disconnect between policy intentions and on-ground realities, highlighting systemic neglect and stigmatization from state institutions.
In response, communities have initiated self-protection measures, leveraging local networks and strategies to safeguard members under threat. Activists like Muñoz and Apraez emphasize personal vigilance alongside limited trust in external security interventions. Ultimately, the government must take decisive actions against criminal factions to secure a safer environment for defenders.
The circumstances underscore that goodwill and international recognition alone cannot shield Colombia’s environmental defenders from dangers. Addressing these challenges necessitates comprehensive and genuine commitment from the government, manifesting beyond rhetoric to tangible protection for those valiantly standing for environmental conservation.
Mie Hoejris Dahl is a Danish freelance journalist based in Mexico City.
Colombia’s environmental defenders, particularly from Indigenous communities, are under severe threat, exemplified by the violent experiences of activists like Waldina Muñoz. Despite governmental pledges toward environmental leadership and justice, the statistics from Global Witness reveal a concerning reality of violence, impunity, and inadequate protections. The dangers inherent in defending the Earth necessitate a more robust state response to ensure the safety and empowerment of these vital advocates for environmental conservation.
Original Source: foreignpolicy.com
