Latin America remains most dangerous region for environmental defenders
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In 2025, Latin America was the site of 105 of the 124 documented murders of land and environmental defenders worldwide, according to a new report from Global Witness.
Colombia experienced the highest number of killings for the fourth consecutive year, with 39 deaths, while Brazil saw a more than doubling of cases, rising from 12 to 26. Together, these two countries accounted for 52% of all recorded murders.
Territorial disputes were linked to 84 of the murders, and defenders continue to face criminalization, threats, surveillance, and smear campaigns. Despite a slight decrease in total killings compared to 2024, Global Witness cautions that the numbers likely underestimate the true extent of violence and may not indicate genuine improvement, as cases of criminalization have increased in some areas like Mexico.
Indigenous communities, such as the Kakataibo people of the Peruvian Amazon, are increasingly taking matters into their own hands by strengthening community-based guardias (guardians) and other collective protection mechanisms. The Kakataibo have formed a 150-member guard to patrol their territory, which is threatened by illegal logging, drug trafficking, and land invasions, despite receiving limited support from the state.
They patrol without firearms, relying on traditional weapons while facing threats and potential criminalization from authorities who often favor those violating their lands. Global Witness recommends that governments recognize and fund collective protection measures, address the root causes of violence, and prioritize the rights of land and environmental defenders in climate and biodiversity policies.
