Indigenous Communities Strengthen Self-Defence to Protect Ancestral Lands and Climate

Indigenous communities across Latin America are taking proactive steps to safeguard their ancestral territories and the global climate by establishing independent self-defence units. A new report from the watchdog Global Witness, published on 16 September 2026, highlights a growing movement of Indigenous-led guardianship as communities face increasing pressure from illegal logging and wildcat gold mining. In the Peruvian Amazon, the Kakataibo Indigenous Guard has emerged as a significant model of community resilience. Established in 2022 with only a few dozen members, the guard has expanded to include more than 150 volunteers operating across 10 bases. These units serve as a frontline defence for the forest, protecting ecosystems that are vital for global climate stability. Segundo Ispón, the commander of the organisation, stated that defending their resources and territory is a cultural responsibility taught from an early age, expressing pride in supporting the climate upon which everyone depends. While the report notes the severe risks faced by land defenders, there is a noted downward trend in the global death toll of environmental activists over the past two years. The total number of killings fell from 196 in 2023 to 142 in 2024, and 124 in 2025. This shift reflects the determination of communities like the Kakataibo, as well as groups in Colombia and Brazil, to formalise their own protection mechanisms in the absence of consistent external support. Despite the challenges posed by organised crime and intrusions into Indigenous territories, the mobilisation of these guards represents a powerful assertion of Indigenous sovereignty. By stewarding their own lands, these communities are not only preserving their cultural heritage but are providing a critical global benefit in the ongoing effort to protect the world’s most biodiverse and carbon-rich forests.