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What is Inclusive Conservation?
We are facing an unprecedented environmental and climate crisis. A significant portion of the remaining natural ecosystems in the world is located within the territories of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs). However, conservation efforts have historically excluded IPLCs, disregarding their knowledge, wisdom, and the land management practices they have maintained for generations. By focusing on threatened species and ecosystems, conservation has often been reduced to a biological exercise, failing to consider the economic, political, and cultural dynamics that shape the future of ecosystems. The Indigenous Vision of Nature Our perception of nature is shaped by culture and worldview. In the Indigenous perspective, culture and nature are not separate. The land—along with its ecosystems and biodiversity—is an integral part of a community’s identity, history, and daily, social, subsistence, and spiritual practices. It is not merely a resource to be exploited but a living space where relationships of reciprocity and respect are woven, recognizing humans as part of an interconnected whole. This knowledge and its associated management practices manifest in diverse ways and are just as threatened as biodiversity and ecosystems themselves. Throughout history, human societies have interacted with and shaped their environment through cultural practices. Many landscapes we now consider pristine have...
Lessons from a frenetic month
The new order that began to be enshrined on January 20 with President Trump’s inaugural speech and his frenzied issuance of executive orders in the following days represents a historic global shift. The impact of these developments is worldwide, and Latin America is no exception. This transformation, whose most emblematic moment was that date, had been in the making for some time, manifesting through various forms of democracy fatigue in weary societies amid the rampant rise of anarcho-capitalism. On one hand, the United States' emblematic nature and its demonstrative effect on the region stem from a century and a half of relations that soon took on a vertical, dependent, and nearly exclusive dynamic, eventually culminating in an abandoned imperial model. Successive stages such as "America for the Americans," "Big Stick," "Manifest Destiny," "Good Neighbor Policy," and "Alliance for Progress" left a profound mark, shaping much of Latin America's domestic politics. Now, these historical legacies are being redefined by Trump’s "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) doctrine. On the other hand, the immediacy and widespread reach of the digital revolution have reshaped global interactions. The unrestricted and exponential development of digital technology has fostered a hyper-communicative environment where diverse content reaches the most...
BRICS could be Donald Trump’s kryptonite
Trump's actions suggest a revitalization of the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America with global reach, seeking to pursue and counter Chinese influence in the world.
Trump and the Hemisphere in Tension
"They need us more than we need them…," declared Donald Trump from the Oval Office when referring to Latin America after assuming the presidency of the United States. This statement set the tone for an administration characterized by nationalism and a transactional approach to foreign policy. From the outset, Trump made it clear that the stability and security of the region would be treated as strategic issues aligned with Washington’s interests. In this context, the governments of the hemisphere, including the United States' closest allies, faced a dilemma: align with Washington's agenda or face severe sanctions. An immediate example was the diplomatic crisis over deportation flights between Washington and Colombia, where, within hours, the Trump administration projected its power and emphasized that cooperation with the U.S.—in this case, Colombia accepting deportees—was not optional. The repercussions were swift. Panama abandoned plans to renew agreements with China regarding the interoceanic canal, the Venezuelan government unconditionally released detained U.S. citizens, and both Mexico and Canada strengthened their cooperation on migration and security matters. The message to the rest of the continent is that Washington will not tolerate a lack of alignment. Countries that do not cooperate will face economic sanctions, including tariffs that could...
Climate-Biodiversity-Water Nexus: the protection of ecosystem services in South America
Ecosystem services, which are the benefits that nature provides to people, depend on conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of nature.
The great lies of Trump’s new era
The big new lie is that Trump won by a landslide, and this supposedly gives him the right to turn the world upside down. However, in a democracy, winning elections is not a blank check to erase the past or disregard the law.
