Colombia and Brazil have emerged as the deadliest nations for environmental defenders in 2025, together accounting for 52 percent of all documented killings worldwide, according to a newly released report by Global Witness. The findings, compiled from official records and field investigations, highlight an alarming escalation in violence against land and forest protectors across Latin America.
Global Witness Report Documents Record Killings
The annual report, published by the London-based watchdog, documented 196 killings of environmental and land activists globally during the past year. This marks a significant increase over the previous year's total of 177, reversing a brief decline and reasserting a decade-long upward trend that has seen more than 2,000 defenders killed since 2012.
Colombia led the world with 62 recorded murders, while Brazil followed with 40. Together, these two South American nations accounted for more than half of all fatalities, a concentration that industry analysts describe as a systemic crisis rather than isolated incidents. The report attributes the violence to illegal mining, cattle ranching, and land speculation.
Colombia's Persistent Violence Against Land Defenders
Colombia's 62 killings represent a slight decrease from 2024 but remain the highest in the world for the fifth consecutive year. Indigenous leaders and small-scale farmers face particular threats in regions such as Cauca, Antioquia, and Putumayo, where armed groups exert territorial control and illegal economies flourish.
Government officials have acknowledged the severity of the situation, pointing to the ongoing implementation of the 2016 peace accord as a partial framework for protection. However, state documents reviewed by investigators reveal that protective measures reach less than a quarter of those formally requesting assistance, leaving most defenders without adequate security.
Brazil's Amazon Deforestation Conflict Intensifies
Brazil's 40 recorded killings mark a sharp rise from 29 the previous year, coinciding with renewed agricultural expansion into the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. The report highlights that land conflicts in the states of Pará, Maranhão, and Rondônia have become increasingly lethal as organized crime networks infiltrate land-grabbing operations.
Federal authorities in Brasília have launched several task forces aimed at curbing rural violence, but enforcement remains uneven. Regulatory filings and court records indicate that prosecution rates for these murders remain extremely low, with fewer than 10 percent of cases resulting in convictions over the past decade, according to legal analysts.
Global Patterns Show Worsening Trend Across Regions
Beyond Latin America, the report documented fatal attacks in 18 countries, including Mexico, the Philippines, and India. Mexico recorded 14 killings, while the Philippines and India each reported nine. These figures, drawn from verified press accounts and local civil society reports, suggest that violence against environmental defenders is a global phenomenon.
The report also noted that indigenous peoples represent over 30 percent of all victims, despite constituting a small fraction of the population in most affected nations. This disproportionate impact underscores the intersection of environmental protection with broader human rights and territorial autonomy struggles.
Economic Pressures Drive Escalating Land Conflicts
Industry analysts point to surging global demand for commodities, including soy, beef, gold, and timber, as a primary driver of conflict. As international prices rise, illegal actors intensify efforts to expel communities from resource-rich territories, often employing violence with impunity. The report cites specific cases where defenders were killed days after filing official complaints.
Carbon offset schemes and renewable energy projects have also created new tensions. In some regions, land once used for subsistence farming is being acquired for large-scale solar or wind installations, displacing communities and triggering resistance. The report urges governments to adopt stricter safeguards for these transitions.
International Community Urged to Act on Impunity
Global Witness is calling on the international community to impose targeted sanctions against individuals and entities that incite or profit from violence against environmental defenders. The organization also urges multilateral development banks to condition funding on verifiable protections for local communities and transparent grievance mechanisms.
Spokespersons from both Colombian and Brazilian government agencies have issued statements committing to strengthen enforcement and expand protection programs. However, civil society advocates remain skeptical, noting that previous pledges have yielded limited results. The coming months will test whether political rhetoric translates into concrete action on the ground.
For environmental defenders, the report offers both a stark warning and a call to action. As global attention focuses on climate change and biodiversity loss, the safety of those who protect these vital ecosystems remains a pressing human rights issue. Without meaningful intervention, analysts predict that 2026 could see even higher casualty figures.
