During New York Climate Week and the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Colombian President Iván Duque attempted to position himself as a protector of the Amazon rainforest, despite the stark reality on the ground of accelerating deforestation and regular killings of environmental defenders.

We could not remain silent. Building on 25 years of support for Colombia's U'wa people, we penned a guest opinion piece for the U.S. and international editions of the New York Times to expose the reality Earth Defenders are facing, in partnership with the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative.

We highlighted the case of Jani Silva, a brave and highly threatened community leader from Colombia's Putumayo region. In close collaboration with Colombian and international human rights groups, we supported Jani and the communities she represents, providing advocacy opportunities and emergency funds through our Amazon Defenders Fund.

Raising her profile through this New York Times piece helps keep her safe and highlights the continuing attacks on Amazonian Earth Defenders.