The number of environmental defenders murdered doubled in 2025 in Brazil, the second most dangerous country in the world for these activists after Colombia, according to the annual report by the NGO Global Witness released today.
Colombia and Brazil accounted for 52% of murders of environmental defenders worldwide last year: totaling 39 and 26, respectively.
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A large proportion of the murders in Brazil were linked to land disputes, which have historically been a source of tension between indigenous peoples and large landowners in that country.
“They can kill people because they’re certain they’ll go unpunished; it’s almost as if they have a license to kill,” Carlos Lima, a member of an organization that defends the rights of farmers and indigenous peoples in Brazil, told Agence France-Presse.
“Generally speaking, those who order the killings do not serve sentences; they are not arrested,” he continued.
For the seventh consecutive year, Colombia ranks first as the most dangerous country on the planet for environmental defenders, who are also targeted by threats from armed groups engaged, among other things, the operation of illegal mines.
Latin America is the deadliest region in the world for environmental defenders. Last year, the majority of victims were indigenous people (36%) and farmers (40%).
The risk is particularly high in remote areas or where the state has a weak presence, the report emphasizes.
In total, 124 murders of environmental defenders were recorded worldwide last year.
Honduras and the Philippines tie for third place on this grim list, with 12 murders in each country. Mexico follows with 10.
Since 2012, when Global Witness began keeping these records, the number of environmental defenders who have been murdered or disappeared has reached 2,375.
Source: KYPE
