Antonio Gonzalez

Colombian environmentalist halting illegal mining in the Amazon

Antonio Gonzalez is an indigenous Colombian environmental leader from the Nasa people, renowned for his grassroots campaign against illegal gold mining in the Amazon basin. Beginning in 2005, he organized the Amazon Guardian Network, a coalition of indigenous groups using drones and satellite mapping to document illegal mining activities. His work has led to the shutdown of 230 illegal mines and the recovery of 12,000 hectares of rainforest.

Gonzalez pioneered the 'Community Sentinel' program training local youths in environmental monitoring. His team's real-time data sharing with government agencies has improved enforcement effectiveness by 40%. In 2016, he developed the world's first indigenous-led carbon credit system, enabling rainforest communities to earn income through conservation.

Despite receiving death threats from mining cartels, he continues advocating through his NGO Pachamama Foundation. His work inspired the Colombian government's 2020 National Mining Reform Act. Gonzalez's story is featured in National Geographic's "Guardians of the Amazon" series.