Guatemala finds itself at a crucial moment for the defense of human and environmental rights. Environmental defenders face constant threats for protecting land and natural resources. With the support of UN Women, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Alliance for the Escazú Agreement in Guatemala, Club de Madrid organized a mission to the country, led by Carlos Alvarado, President of Costa Rica (2018–2022) and Member of Club de Madrid. The mission focuses on strengthening the protection of environmental and human rights defenders and supporting the legislative process of the preliminary draft of the Law on Political Violence against Women.
During his visit, President Carlos Alvarado met with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo to discuss the importance of guaranteeing the safety of those who defend human and environmental rights. At the meeting, President Arévalo announced that the Government was drafting a new public policy for the protection of defenders, which will include environmental defenders—a vital step to ensure their safety and recognition within Guatemalan democracy.
Alvarado also met with Patricia Orantes, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, to discuss climate change and the urgent need to approve the protection law. In this context, he spoke with environmental defenders, lawyers, and community leaders, who shared their firsthand experiences with the risks and obstacles they face in their work. These conversations highlighted the resilience and courage of defenders and the urgent need to strengthen institutions to ensure their safety.
One of the most significant achievements of the mission was Minister Orantes’ commitment to join the LEAD (Leaders for Environmental Action and Democracy) initiative, promoted by Club de Madrid, and to include Guatemala as one of the “champion countries” in the protection and recognition of environmental rights defenders. This commitment represents an important step toward positioning Guatemala as a regional leader in promoting inclusive and participatory environmental democracy.
During the visit, Club de Madrid also met with representatives from the Alliance for the Escazú Agreement, emphasizing the critical importance of ratifying this regional treaty, which guarantees access to information, participation in decision-making, and the protection of environmental defenders.
In collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala, the Escazú Alliance, and the Cultural Center of Spain in Guatemala City, Club de Madrid organized a panel titled “Challenges for Environmental Defense in Democracy and the Protection of Environmental Defenders.” Social leaders, Indigenous communities, legal experts, the private sector, and public policy officials came together in an open dialogue to discuss strategies and solutions aimed at creating safer and more democratic conditions for environmental defense. Alvarado shared lessons from Costa Rica’s experience in implementing ambitious human rights and environmental policies, emphasizing how democratic institutions can be strengthened to better protect environmental defenders.
Leaders highlighted the specific threats faced by Indigenous communities, such as criminalization and violence, and stressed the urgent need for culturally appropriate and community-based protections. Meanwhile, César Artiaga, member of the Escazú Alliance, underscored that greater citizen participation and improved access to justice are key to strengthening environmental democracy in Guatemala.
Reflecting on his visit, Alvarado highlighted Guatemala’s vibrant civil society, composed of youth, trade unions, entrepreneurs, women, and Indigenous and ancestral movements. He emphasized that through open dialogue and cooperation, Guatemala can build safer and more democratic conditions for those who dedicate their lives to defending human rights and the planet.
Club de Madrid reaffirms its strong commitment to supporting and giving visibility to the work of environmental defenders.
