Francesca Leon

Colombian environmental activist leading grassroots efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest from mining projects, advocating for indigenous rights and environmental conservation.

Francesca Leon: Guardian of the Amazon Rainforest

Francesca Leon is a Colombian environmental activist and anthropologist dedicated to preserving the Amazon rainforest and defending the rights of indigenous communities. Born in 1985 in Bogotá, Leon’s work focuses on halting destructive mining projects in Colombia’s Amazon region. She co-founded Amazonia Sin Límites, an NGO that empowers local communities to resist illegal mining activities threatening biodiversity and ancestral lands.

Leon’s activism gained international attention in 2018 when she organized protests against the La Colosa gold mining project in Tolima. Her campaigns combine legal advocacy, community education, and direct action, often putting her at risk from armed groups linked to illegal mining. She has trained hundreds of indigenous leaders in environmental law and sustainable practices.

Her efforts have influenced Colombia’s environmental policies, including stricter regulations on mining permits in protected areas. Leon also collaborates with global networks like Friends of the Earth International, amplifying the voices of Amazonian communities in climate negotiations.

In 2021, Leon was featured in the documentary Guardians of the Amazon, which highlights the sacrifices and successes of rainforest defenders. Despite death threats, she continues to advocate for a balance between economic development and environmental preservation.