Colombia and Brazil deadliest countries for environmental activists, report says
Summary
Colombia and Brazil are the deadliest countries for environmental activists, with many killed due to land conflicts. A report by Global Witness shows Latin America accounts for most killings of these activists, often linked to illegal mining and drug-related violence.Key Facts
- In 2025, at least 124 environmental activists were killed worldwide, with 39 deaths in Colombia and 26 in Brazil.
- Latin America made up 85% of all documented killings of environmental activists.
- Most murders involved land disputes and were often carried out by hired killers or organized crime groups.
- Nearly half of the victims in Colombia were indigenous people; others were small farmers.
- Indigenous guards in Colombia patrol land without weapons but face threats from illegal groups aiming to expand drug production or mining.
- Jacob Guachetá Zambrano, an indigenous guard member, was recently found tortured and killed in Colombia’s Cauca region.
- Killings in Brazil doubled from 2024 to 2025, mainly related to land conflicts.
- Outside Latin America, the Philippines had the highest number of deaths in Asia, with 12 activists killed.
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