Colombia and Brazil remain deadliest for environmental activists
Latin America accounts for 85% of global killings of land defenders, report finds
1Colombia leads in activist murders
Colombia recorded 39 killings of environmental activists in 2025, maintaining its position as the most dangerous country for land defenders for the fourth consecutive year. Brazil followed with 26 murders. Global Witness's report documents at least 124 such killings worldwide, with Latin America accounting for 85% of cases since the organization began tracking in 2012. Most victims were targeted in land conflicts involving illegal mining or drug cultivation.
2Indigenous communities most vulnerable
Nearly half of Colombia's murdered activists belonged to indigenous groups, with small-scale farmers comprising most remaining victims. Indigenous guards—unarmed patrols protecting ancestral lands—face particular risk. Recent cases include the torture and killing of Jacob Guachetá Zambrano, a Cauca region guard member. Illegal armed groups target these defenders to expand territories for coca cultivation and mining operations, with murders and disappearances becoming commonplace in conflict zones.
3Brazil's alarming surge in violence
Brazil witnessed a 100% increase in environmental defender killings from 2024 to 2025, with land conflicts driving most cases. Similar to Colombia, violence stems from disputes over territory between activists and groups engaged in illegal resource extraction. The report notes underreporting likely masks true figures, as many rural killings go undocumented. Asia accounted for 12% of global cases, led by the Philippines with 12 recorded murders.
4Patterns of organized violence
The majority of killings involve hired assassins or organized crime members, reflecting systematic suppression of environmental resistance. In Colombia, indigenous protection networks face heavily armed opponents despite their nonviolent approach. Global Witness warns that decreasing global numbers (146 in 2024 to 128 in 2025) may reflect reporting gaps rather than reduced violence, with rural areas particularly prone to unreported incidents.
5Coca trade fuels territorial conflicts
Illegal armed groups target indigenous lands primarily for coca cultivation—the raw material for cocaine—creating deadly competition for territory. These groups systematically eliminate community resistance through assassinations and disappearances. The report highlights how drug trade economics exacerbates environmental conflicts, with activists caught between conservation efforts and lucrative illegal industries that control vast rural areas.
6Structural impunity enables killings
Chronic underreporting and lack of investigations create a culture of impunity. Many cases never reach official records, especially in remote regions. Global Witness emphasizes that documented figures represent only confirmed incidents, with actual numbers likely higher. The ongoing nature of territorial disputes suggests persistent risk for activists, as criminal networks operate with minimal interference in conflict zones.
7Indigenous guards' perilous role
Unarmed indigenous patrols in Colombia operate as primary defenders against land grabs, despite extreme risks. These community-based networks lack formal state protection, making members vulnerable to attacks. The recent murder of Jacob Guachetá Zambrano exemplifies recurring violence against guards. Their nonviolent approach contrasts starkly with heavily armed opponents, yet they remain frontline protectors of biodiversity hotspots targeted by extractive industries.
8Global implications of local violence
The concentration of killings in biodiversity-rich regions threatens global conservation efforts. Latin America's environmental defenders protect critical ecosystems that regulate climate patterns. Their systematic elimination undermines international climate goals while enabling expansion of illegal industries. The report calls attention to how local violence against activists carries planetary consequences, demanding coordinated protection mechanisms beyond national borders.
Original article: BBC News — Colombia and Brazil remain deadliest for environmental activists