Colombia’s Deadly Crisis for Environmental Defenders Exposes Global Failures, Threatens U.S. Interests

Jani Silva’s story is not just a Colombian tragedy—it’s a glaring example of how international neglect and weak enforcement embolden armed criminal groups to terrorize those standing up for the environment. For over eight years, Silva has been forced from her home along Colombia's Putumayo River because of relentless threats tied to her fight against illegal oil drilling and mining in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.Despite government claims of protection through Colombia’s National Protection Unit (NPU), Silva lives under constant guard far from her community, illustrating how national sovereignty and rule of law are compromised when justice falters....