Pablo Albarenga: Exploring modern colonization through photography

National Geographic Explorer and visual storyteller Pablo Albarenga is documenting human rights issues in Latin America.

March 25, 2021
3 min read
Nantu is an indigenous young man from the Achuar Nation of Ecuador who leads a project of solar-powered river boats for collective transport. By installing solar panels on a specially designed boat’s roof, he is working to end Achuar’s dependence on petrol. Left: On his land, Nantu lies dressed with traditional Achuar clothing. Right: the pristine rainforest from the Achuar territory. Sharamentsa, Pastaza, Ecuador. Photo-composition: Pablo Albarenga
Photograph by Pablo Albarenga

Pablo Albarenga has dedicated his work to investigating, studying, and photographing the colonization process that is still affecting traditional populations in Latin America. 

These communities are being threatened by huge development projects who aim to exploit the rich natural resources available in these countries, such as minerals, wood, and extensive agriculture. Albarenga, who is originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, has photographed the occupations of the Guarani Kaiowá indigenous peoples, who are fighting to get back their traditional lands in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil. 

"Indigenous of the Guapoy occupation step in front of the rancher’s house after a whole day confronting police officers. The previous night they were attacked by the rancher with fire guns. Mato Grosso do Sul is home of one of the most violent conflicts in Brazil where indigenous people are being evicted and bloodshed by agri-business development. Caarapó, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil." - Pablo Albarenga

He has also photographed the massive indigenous camps in Brasília, where more than 3,000 leaders from every corner of Brazil travel to the capital in order to claim their rights. In addition, he documented Sonia Guajajara's journey as the first indigenous woman to run for the vice presidency of Brazil in the 2018 Brazilian general election.

Pablo Albarenga, National Geographic Explorer
Photograph courtesy Pablo Albarenga

Albarenga is a Pulitzer Center grantee and has won the National Culture Funds in his country, which he will use to produce his first photo book about the indigenous situation in Brazil.

This Explorer's work is funded by the National Geographic Society
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