Chö Ichigo Guimanimo Kuingobo (Feliciano Santos)

Chö Ichigo Guimanimo Kuingobo, known as Feliciano Santos, is a Ngäbe indigenous leader and human rights defender. He is the founder and coordinator of the Movimiento de Defensa de los Territorios y Ecosistemas de Bocas del Toro -MODETEAB- (Movement for the Defence of the Territories and Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro). For over a decade, Chö Ichigo Guimanimo Kuingobo has been defending the environment, territory and the rights of indigenous peoples, promoting justice for indigenous peoples and environmental protection through actions at local, national and international levels.

He leads the resistance against mega-projects that threaten the territory of Ngäbe communities and denounces the illegal appropriation of land by property developers. For years, he and the communities he works with, have denounced harassment and human rights violations against indigenous peoples. Such violations have arisen from the actions of the state and private actors, seeking to evict them and appropriate indigenous territory.

Since May 2026, his work has been the target of various acts of intimidation. This includes unlawful raids by the authorities, threats aimed at forcing him out of the land, and complaints from private actors, aimed at intimidating him into ceasing his defence of human rights.

“Jodron jeñe nikwe kirie mika ye bra ka tibien ni meyere ye kirie mika” (Defending Indigenous Peoples Rights is defending Mother Earth)