Germany hands back centuries-old masks to Colombia
The wooden objects are highly revered by the country’s Indigenous Kogi mountain people, and their return is the latest in a string of cultural restitutions by Germany and other European nations.
South America
Shipibo communities create Indigenous guard to protect Peruvian Amazon from deforestation
The “Indigenous guard” (La Guardia Indígena) that will carry out patrols across 175 Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon.
Ecuador to boost protection of Galápagos in biggest debt-for-nature deal ever
Ecuador launched a plan that would effectively wipe out roughly $1 billion of interest on part of its debt in exchange for its protection of the Galápagos Islands.
Brazil’s President Lula recognizes six Indigenous lands, and says more to come
After years of stalling due to opposition by the two former presidents with the country’s Indigenous policies, they are the first Indigenous lands to be demarcated since 2018.
National corridor project aims to save Chile’s endangered huemul deer
Spanning more than 1,700 miles across Patagonia, the route crosses 17 national parks and protects more than 27 million acres of land.
Ecuador project aims to protect Yasuní park borders & Indigenous peoples
The Yasuní Strip of Diversity and Life was created to protect the area’s Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation and to uphold the rights of Indigenous and farming communities in the region.
Ecuador court upholds ‘rights of nature,’ blocks Intag Valley copper mine
A provincial court recognized that the mining companies violated the communities’ constitutional right to consultation and the rights of nature guaranteed by Ecuador’s Constitution since 2008.
Chile declares some 247,100 acres of whale habitat in Northern Patagonia a marine protected area
The area is frequented not only by blue whales, but also by humpback whales, sei whales, at least two species of dolphin, the South American sea lion, and colonies of penguins.
Colombia and Ecuador create alert system to protect Indigenous Awá from armed groups
Since last August, thousands of Awá have been forcibly displaced or suffered threats, intimidation, torture or forced recruitment by organized crime groups participating in drug trafficking and illegal mining.
Brazil moves to oust illegal miners from Indigenous lands in the Amazon
The invasion of miners has contributed to the spread of malaria among the Yanomami, with devastating consequences