**Colombia and Brazil Identified as Deadliest Nations for Environmental Activists, Reports Global Witness**
Colombia has once again been identified as the country with the highest number of killings of land and environmental activists, according to the latest annual report by the campaign group Global Witness. In 2025, out of at least 124 activists killed globally, 39 were murdered in Colombia, followed closely by Brazil with 26 fatalities.
The report highlights a troubling trend, revealing that Latin America remains the deadliest region for environmental defenders, accounting for 85% of the documented killings since Global Witness began its reporting in 2012. The majority of these murders are linked to land disputes, often perpetrated by hired assassins or organized crime groups.
For the fourth consecutive year, Colombia has topped the list of countries where environmental activists face the highest risk of violence. Alarmingly, nearly half of those killed in Colombia were members of indigenous communities, while many others were small-scale farmers fighting for their land rights. The report underscores the precarious situation faced by these groups, who often find themselves in direct conflict with illegal armed factions seeking to expand their territories for coca cultivation or illegal mining operations.
In a recent incident that underscores the dangers faced by indigenous activists, Jacob Guachetá Zambrano, a member of an indigenous guard in Colombia's Cauca region, was discovered tortured and murdered. While the specific motives behind his killing are still under investigation, local indigenous leaders have expressed that such violence, including murders, threats, and forced disappearances, is alarmingly common in regions where illegal armed groups vie for control.
Global Witness has also reported a significant increase in violence against environmental defenders in Brazil, where killings have reportedly doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year. Similar to Colombia, the majority of documented cases in Brazil were driven by land conflicts. This escalation in violence raises serious concerns about the safety of those advocating for environmental protection in the country.
Outside of Latin America, the report indicates that 12% of the murders of environmental activists occurred in Asia, with the Philippines recording the highest number of killings in the region, totaling 12 documented cases. While the overall number of documented killings worldwide decreased from 146 in 2024 to 128 in 2025, Global Witness cautions that these figures may still be an underestimate, as many cases likely go unreported.
The findings of the report have sparked renewed calls for action to protect environmental activists who are increasingly at risk due to their work in defending land rights and natural resources. The ongoing violence against these defenders not only threatens their lives but also undermines efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices in the face of illegal activities and corporate interests.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is urged to pay closer attention to the plight of environmental activists in Colombia, Brazil, and beyond, advocating for stronger protections and accountability for those who perpetrate violence against them.