Colombia, Brazil emerge as deadliest nations for environmental defenders

Colombia and Brazil have emerged as the world's most dangerous countries for those working to protect the environment, with the two nations responsible for 52 percent of all murders of environmental activists recorded in 2025, according to analysis by Global Witness.

The alarming figures underscore the escalating risks faced by conservation workers across Latin America, where land-use disputes, illegal mining, deforestation, and conflicts over resource extraction have intensified pressures on those defending natural areas and indigenous territories.

Environmental defenders in both countries have increasingly become targets for violence as criminal organizations, landowners, and other interests seek to silence opposition to destructive activities. The killings reflect broader challenges in enforcing environmental protections and ensuring the safety of activists operating in regions where enforcement mechanisms remain weak.

The deaths highlight the human cost of environmental degradation in the region and raise concerns among international observers about the adequacy of government protections for those documenting illegal activities and advocating for conservation. Rights groups have called for stronger measures to prevent violence and ensure accountability for perpetrators.

Global Witness has long documented threats against environmental defenders worldwide, with Latin America consistently recording the highest number of killings among all regions globally in recent years.