Colombia and Brazil deadliest countries for environmental activists, report says
Colombia and Brazil are the deadliest countries for environmental activists according to a new report. Global Witness and other sources indicate that at least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed globally in 2025. Latin America accounted for 85% of these fatalities. The violence has reached a frequency where an environmental defender is murdered every three days. In response to these threats, some nature and land protectors have established self-defence units to prevent further killings.
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- ✓ At least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed globally in 2025.
- ✓ Latin America accounted for 85% of environmental defender killings in 2025.
- ✓ Colombia and Brazil are the deadliest countries for environmental activists.
What changed
A new report identifies Colombia and Brazil as the deadliest nations for environmental defenders in 2025.
Live updates
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Colombia and Brazil Most Dangerous for Environmental Activists
Colombia and Brazil are the deadliest countries for environmental activists according to a new report. Global Witness and other sources indicate that at least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed globally in 2025. Latin America accounted for 85% of these fatalities. The violence has reached a frequency where an environmental defender is murdered every three days. In response to these threats, some nature and land protectors have established self-defence units to prevent further killings.
Why it matters
Environmental defenders often face violence when opposing extractive industries or protecting indigenous lands. The high concentration of deaths in Latin America highlights a systemic failure in state protection for activists. These killings often occur in regions with weak rule of law.
What is confirmed
- At least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed globally in 2025.
- Latin America accounted for 85% of environmental defender killings in 2025.
- Colombia and Brazil are the deadliest countries for environmental activists.
Still unconfirmed
- An environmental defender is murdered every three days.
- Trump-driven lawlessness and aid cuts contributed to the 124 deaths of land defenders in 2025.
What to watch next
- Reports on the effectiveness of self-defence units in protecting activists
- Official government responses from Colombia and Brazil regarding the report
- Updated fatality data for 2026 environmental defenders
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (9)
- BBC — Colombia and Brazil deadliest countries for environmental activists, report says
- Global Witness — Collective power: The struggle for protection for land and environmental defenders
- The Guardian — People protecting nature and land set up self-defence units amid threat of murder
- AP News — Latin America accounted for 85% of environmental defender killings in 2025, report says
- Common Dreams — 124 Land Defenders Killed in 2025 Amid Trump-Driven Lawlessness and Aid Cuts
- Inside Climate News — An Environmental Defender Is Murdered Every Three Days
- Geographical — At least 124 land and environmental defenders killed globally in 2025
- Modern Ghana — From Peru to the Philippines, defending the land comes at a deadly cost
- jen.jiji.com — Russia, Putin votes online
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