The Movement for the Defence of the Territories and Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro (MODETEAB) is a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the lands, rights, and cultures of Ngäbe, Buglé, and Campesino peoples in Panama. We founded MODETEAB in 2006 to defend our territories from illegal land grabs, environmental destruction, and harmful megaprojects that threaten our way of life.
What we are
MODETEAB is a non-profit civic association with a network structure.
Who we are
We are an alliance of land defenders from western Panama, including Bocas del Toro province, where our coordinators are based. Our friends and allies include the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), the Alliance for Conservation and Development (ACD), Why Hunger, and the Ngäbe Coalition for Food Sovereignty (CONSA).
What we do
We educate and empower Indigenous and campesino communities, contributing to the protection and stewardship of fragile ecosystems. Our responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the safety and human rights of Indigenous land defenders during protests, marches, and official meetings
- Educating communities in their Indigenous languages about their rights under national and international law
- Documenting land disputes and collecting witness testimonies
- Providing logistical support for public meetings and events
- Raising awareness about the social and environmental impacts of unsolicited development
- Advocating for our communities in international forums and using international legal mechanisms like the Inter-American Human Rights System
Where we work
We resist violent and unsolicited development projects at several sites in Panama:
Line IV – Line IV, the fourth transmission line or Cuarta Línea is a national infrastructure project threatening to devastate communities and destroy Panama’s natural heritage. Working in partnership with the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) in Washington DC, we successfully defend the human rights of communities in the affected areas of Kankintú and Norte de Santa Fe, protecting the forests and rivers we all depend on.
Valle de Agua – We defend the Ngäbe community of Valle de Agua in mainland Bocas del Toro. We face down legal and physical threats and intimidation from settlers, speculators, and the state.
Changuinola Dam – MODETEAB stands with the Changinola River communities impacted by AES corporation and its Panamanian subsidiary.
Barro Blanco Dam – We fight for justice for the Tabasará River communities.
Why our work matters
MODETEAB stands for justice, dignity, and survival. By resisting environmental destruction and asserting our rights, we ensure a future where our ecosystems thrive, our cultures endure, and our voices are heard.
How you can help
MODETEAB receives no external funding, so any donations, no matter how small, will help cover urgent day-to-day costs such as legal representation for communities defending their land, transportation for meetings and community visits, and cell phone access to attend online meetings with international organizations. You can support us in other ways, by following us on social media or by contributing skills and expertise.
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