Lena Estrada Añokasi

Lena Estrada Añokasi is the Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, recognized as the first Indigenous woman to hold this position. She has been instrumental in leading initiatives to combat deforestation in Colombia, particularly in the Amazon region. In a recent announcement, she revealed a significant 33% reduction in deforestation in the Colombian Amazon during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Estrada's work focuses on addressing the underlying causes of deforestation, including land grabbing, illegal mining, and unsustainable agricultural practices, while also emphasizing the importance of collaboration with local communities and law enforcement.