{"id":69518,"date":"2026-11-11T19:11:17","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T17:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/envol-vert.org\/interviews\/rigoberto-carlosama-an-indigenous-guardian-of-pinuna-blanco\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T19:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T17:11:18","slug":"rigoberto-carlosama-an-indigenous-guardian-of-pinuna-blanco","status":"publish","type":"interviews","link":"https:\/\/envol-vert.org\/en\/itv\/rigoberto-carlosama-an-indigenous-guardian-of-pinuna-blanco\/","title":{"rendered":"Rigoberto Carlosama, an Indigenous Guardian of Pi\u00f1u\u00f1a Blanco"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/i><\/div>Why must Pi\u00f1u\u00f1a Blanco be protected?<\/p><\/h2><\/div>

The Santa Cruz de Pi\u00f1u\u00f1a Blanco Indigenous Reserve, located in the department of Putumayo, is one of the partner organizations involved in implementing the ConBosque project<\/a>. In southern Colombia, risks linked to the presence of armed groups persist. Invasions of Pi\u00f1u\u00f1a Blanco\u2019s territory can lead to the displacement or confinement of its inhabitants, as well as the intrusion of illegal actors involved in drug trafficking or land grabbing. And yet, it is precisely because of these risks that the project is so important.
\nThe reserve belongs to the Siona people, covers 5,400 hectares, and was legally established on September 29, 1992. It is home to 145 families. The Indigenous Guard, which is part of the reserve\u2019s organizational structure, protects the ancestral territory against threats such as illegal armed groups and exploitative projects through peaceful resistance guided by spiritual and community principles aimed at preventing the physical and cultural extermination of the community.
\nIt is composed of 40 people, spiritually known as \u201ccuiracuas,\u201d who use their traditional knowledge to peacefully maintain territorial control and defend the Amazon.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/div>Testimony by Rigoberto Carlosama<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/div>Tell us a little about yourself and what you do<\/em><\/p><\/h3><\/div>

My name is Rigoberto Carlosama Ocoguaje; I am a member of the Pi\u00f1u\u00f1ablanco Indigenous Reserve. I am one of the Reserve\u2019s guardians, and I am also active on a spiritual level as a disciple.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/div>Why do you think projects like ConBosque are important?<\/em><\/p><\/h3><\/div>

For us, the importance of the ConBosque project lies in the fact that it allows us to deepen our knowledge of the territory every day. As guardians, we conduct patrols to spot animals, count trees, and identify everything our territory has to offer\u2014both for our subsistence and for our coexistence with it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Both as a ranger and as a member of the Pi\u00f1u\u00f1a Blanco community, our connection to our land is very important. We are the Zio Bain <\/a>(an Indigenous people) ; we follow in the footsteps of our elders. They have already left us, but we are here to carry on their legacy. In this way, we learn every day about nature and the territory, but also on a spiritual level\u2014which is the most important\u2014and about the strength that nature gives us. The concept of \u201cmayco\u201d is essential: it is the foundation upon which we rely to continue strengthening these natural spaces, defending and caring for our territory, our \u201cmayija.\u201d Therefore, we continue to work on the political, spiritual, and community levels. This is what makes us Zio bain.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>