Our coordinators

Chö Ichigo Guimanimo Kuingobo
(Feliciano Santos Santos)
Coordinator

Chö Ichigo Guimanimo Kuingobo, also known by his Spanish name, Feliciano Santos, is a distinguished Ngäbe activist and advocate for Indigenous rights. He is the founder and coordinator of the Movement for the Defense of the Territories and Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro (MODETEAB). From a young age, Chö has been actively involved in the traditional congress of the Ngäbe people, collaborating closely with their highest leader, Cacique Mónico Cruz. Recognizing the vulnerabilities faced by his community, he organized several collectives that eventually led to the creation of MODETEAB. This organization aims to amplify Indigenous voices calling for the respect of their territories and way of life. He frequently works with international partners, having petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) and presented evidence in Washington, D.C. Recently, he founded the Ngäbe Coalition for Food Sovereignty (CONSA).

Malan Trö (Olinda Castrellón Sánchez)
Subcoordinator

Malan Trö, also known as Olinda Castrellón Sánchez, serves as the sub-coordinator of MODETEAB. Her journey into activism began when she was driven to defend her Ngäbe community in Valle del Agua following an illegal and violent eviction attempt by Panamanian authorities. Today, she is dedicated to empowering Indigenous women, who often find themselves at the forefront of land conflicts and rights violations, particularly those stemming from unsolicited, state-sponsored development projects. Through leading community-based workshops on environmental and human rights, Olinda aims to support the most vulnerable in the Bocas del Toro province and to nurture the ongoing defense of Ngäbe culture and territory. Fluent in her mother tongue, Ngäbere, she effortlessly connects with Ngäbe women and elders, inspiring positive grassroots action.