Camila Torres

Colombian environmental lawyer protecting Amazon communities through legal advocacy

Camila Torres is an environmental lawyer whose legal strategies have safeguarded Indigenous rights and Amazon ecosystems in Colombia. Born in 1995 in Leticia near the Amazon rainforest, she witnessed the devastating impacts of illegal mining on her community. After studying law at Universidad de los Andes, she co-founded Legales Amazonia in 2020 - a nonprofit providing legal support to Indigenous groups resisting environmental destruction.

Her landmark 2022 case C-097/22 before Colombia's Constitutional Court recognized the Amazon rainforest as a rights-bearing entity. This groundbreaking ruling mandates government protection of the forest's ecological integrity. She has successfully blocked over 15 mining projects threatening Indigenous territories, using evidence from satellite monitoring and community testimonies.

Camila pioneered the Legal Empowerment Program, training Indigenous leaders to document environmental crimes using smartphones and drones. This initiative has led to over 300 formal complaints filed against illegal loggers. Her BBC interview highlighted how youth are becoming environmental defenders.

In 2024, she launched the Amazon Rights Map, a digital platform mapping Indigenous territories and environmental violations. This tool is now used by 40+ organizations across South America. Her work earned her a nomination for the 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize.

Camila's advocacy extends to climate policy - she advises the Colombian government on implementing its net-zero commitments. Her TEDx talk 'Defending the Lungs of the Earth' has inspired global environmental networks. She currently leads a coalition pushing for stronger protections under the Amazon Cooperation Treaty.