Rodrigo
de la O

Maule Itata Coastkeeper
Maule, Chile

Rodrigo de la O is a Waterkeeper Warrior.

In 2008, corporate giant AES set out to build a coal-fueled power plant in Southern Chile. A plant that would threaten the health of pristine local rivers and their surrounding communities.

There was just one problem for AES… And his name was Rodrigo De la O.

Rodrigo is the Maule Itata Coastkeeper. He’s known as “the coastal vigilante…” and his campaign against the proposed power plant went something like this…

He investigated every aspect of the proposal and gathered an arsenal of information for the fight.

He galvanized fellow residents – and taught them what would happen to their quality of life if they did nothing.

He showed his neighbors how to hold their own against a big corporation…

And they did. Proving that community can triumph over industry. After an eight-year battle, AES pulled out of the fight. The corporate giant was worn out. The power plant would never be built.

With this victory under their belt, Rodrigo and his community know they have the power to fight for their right to clean water… no matter what comes their way.

Listen to Rodrigo’s story:

Photographed by © Tamara Merino, courtesy of Culture Trip, with story voiced by Pierce Brosnan

Waterkeeper Magazine

Learn more about Rodrigo in the two-part 20th Anniversary edition of Waterkeeper Magazine.

Return to the full Waterkeeper Warriors gallery.