Writing

My reporting puts people, communities and their experiences first.

I seek out stories about environment or human rights issues, and where they intertwine, and try to put the people and communities most affected by these issues at the heart of the story.

In 2021, I received a grant from the local TOA-GK (Todos los Ojos en la Amazonia) for In-depth Journalism in the Amazon, and in 2018 was a recipient of the Casa Socio-Environmental Fund for environmental reporting.

Some select publications:

  • Ecuador’s indigenous march over 600km to demand an end to mining (Al Jazeera)

    Ecuador’s indigenous march over 600km to demand an end to mining (Al Jazeera)

    QUITO, ECUADOR – More than 1,500 indigenous protesters had a clear message as they march through Ecuador’s capital Quito on Wednesday: Stop mining on, or near, indigenous territory. “We need to fight together,” said Alexandra, a Kichwa indigenous woman who walked more than 600km in traditional sandals from the southern Amazonian province of Zamora Chinchipe…

  • Colombia’s New Killing Spree (The Progressive)

    Colombia’s New Killing Spree (The Progressive)

    SANTANDER de QUILICHAO, COLOMBIA – In June, Clemencia Carabali received her first death threat this year. She was in her office planning workshops for the local community, when an unknown man called her personal phone and told her she had until 5 p.m. that day to leave the territory, or be killed. Then he hung…

  • Live News Spot. Ecuador’s new policy for Venezuelans crossing the border (TRT World)

    My first live TV news spot. I spoke with TRT World about Ecuador enforcing their new policy for Venezuelans trying to cross the border, now requiring their passports. This was put into effect Saturday, Aug 18 and is going to make things a whole lot worse for a lot of people before it makes things…

  • Can Ecuador do palm oil right? Jurisdictional RSPO commitment stirs hope (Mongabay)

    QUITO, ECUADOR –  Ecuador’s oil palm industry has taken what many see as another step forward by committing to a jurisdictional RSPO system as a way to transform the entire sector by making it cleaner and more sustainable. But some wonder if a commitment to RSPO is enough, considering the industry’s questionable reputation in some parts…

  • Community vs. company: A tiny town in Ecuador battles a palm oil giant (Mongabay)

    Community vs. company: A tiny town in Ecuador battles a palm oil giant (Mongabay)

    WIMBI, ECUADOR – When Yessenia Padilla heard that her community crops were being destroyed, she and about 70 of her neighbors rushed out to intervene. They grabbed large boards, rocks, the machetes they use to harvest their fields, and took off yelling. She said that when they arrived, they saw workers from the oil palm…