Yanina Figueroa

Colombian environmental lawyer protecting Amazon rainforest communities through legal advocacy

Yanina Figueroa is a Colombian attorney specializing in environmental law who has become a leading voice for indigenous rights in the Amazon rainforest. As director of Dejusticia's environmental justice program, she successfully litigated cases against illegal mining operations threatening ancestral lands. Her legal victories include a 2021 Supreme Court ruling requiring government protection for indigenous communities facing resource exploitation.

Figueroa pioneered the use of participatory mapping techniques to document indigenous territories, creating legally binding evidence for land demarcation. She co-authored "Legal Empowerment Through Participatory Mapping", a methodology now adopted by 17 Latin American countries. Her work with the ICCROM focuses on integrating traditional ecological knowledge into national legal frameworks.

Named one of Time magazine's 'Next Generation Leaders' in 2022, Figueroa's approach combines legal strategy with cultural preservation. She developed the "Amazon Justice Network," connecting 300+ grassroots organizations across five countries to share legal resources. Her advocacy led to Colombia's first ever national policy recognizing indigenous fire management practices as climate solutions.