85 Percent of Environmental Defenders Killed in 2025 Lived in Latin America

According to a globally published report, at least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed worldwide last year, with 85 percent of these murders taking place in the Latin American region.

Details of the Global Report

While conflicts over land and natural resources continue to endanger indigenous peoples and small farmers, a report published on Wednesday by the environmental and human rights advocacy group Global Witness revealed the losses suffered in 2025.

The total loss of life worldwide decreased for the second consecutive year; however, the report emphasized that this decline does not mean environmental defenders are safer and that cases remain significantly underreported.

Most Dangerous Countries

A total of 105 murders were documented in Latin America in 2025, with Colombia remaining the deadliest country in the world for the fourth consecutive year with 39 killings.

Colombia was followed by Brazil with 26 murders, while ten deaths each were recorded in Honduras and the Philippines, and both countries formed a significant part of the global picture.

Targeted Groups

Environmental defenders are individuals who struggle to protect their lands, natural resources, and communities from threats such as mining, logging, and agribusiness.

The report included information showing that more than three-quarters of those killed last year consisted of indigenous peoples, small-scale farmers, or Afro-descendant individuals.

Causes of Conflict and Criminal Networks

Land disputes accounted for more than half of the global total, being directly linked to 84 murders, which highlighted the root cause of the crisis.

While organized crime groups and hired assassins were suspected of being involved in more than a third of the murders, the incidents were documented across 15 different countries in 2025.