Pray for human rights defenders in Colombia following recent attacks

In early December 2025, several environmental human rights defenders living in the region of La Guajira in Colombia, received threats. These men and women are trying to protect our common home in an area where one of the world’s biggest coalmines operates.

As Misael Socarras Ipuana, leader of the Indigenous organisation Fuerza Wayuu puts it, “My job is to defend the land, water and human rights. We want a future for our children that is free from pollution, and we want to ensure and guarantee them good-quality water.”

A few days after the threats unidentified individuals on a motorcycle fired shots at the vehicle in which Misael Socarrás Ipuana was traveling. His life was saved by one of the bodyguards, who placed himself between the attackers and Misael. The bodyguard, who is part of a collective protection scheme for Fuerza Wayuu, was seriously injured.

This attempt on the life of Misael follows a visit by a delegation of the diplomatic community, which included the United Nations and representatives from embassies.

For the last 20 years, Misael Socarrás Ipuana has been denouncing the environmental consequences and differentiated impacts of the Multinational Glencore’s, Carbones del Cerrejón Limited (Cerrejón) coal-mine. This is the largest open-pit coal mine in Latin America and is on the Wayuu Indigenous Peoples land. These impacts have also raised by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, As well as, widely documented and recognised in Colombian Court rulings.

Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world for human rights defenders with 180 human rights defenders killed in the first eleven months of 2025.

Please pray:

• For strength and protection for environmental human rights defenders in Colombia,

• For the recovery of Misael Socarrás Ipuana's bodyguard

• For the governments and decision-makers in Colombia to take action to bring those responsible for the attack to justice, protect those at risk and to promote policies that defend the rights of the most vulnerable and pursue justice and peace.

• For international companies in Colombia to put the good of local people and the environment before profits.