Colombia Leads the World in Killings of Land and Environmental Defenders, Global Witness Says

Colombia has once again recorded the highest number of killings of land and environmental activists worldwide, according to an annual report by campaign group Global Witness.

At least 124 activists were killed around the world in 2025. Colombia recorded 39 killings, followed by Brazil with 26.

Latin America Remains the Deadliest Region

Global Witness said 85% of recorded killings occurred in Latin America, making it the world’s deadliest region every year since the group began publishing its reports in 2012.

Most of the killings were linked to land disputes and were often carried out by hitmen or members of organized crime groups, the report said.

Colombia has recorded the highest number of environmental defender killings for the past four years. Almost half of those killed in the country were members of Indigenous groups, while many others were small-scale farmers, according to Global Witness.

Indigenous Guards Targeted in Colombia

Many Indigenous communities in Colombia have created their own protection networks, including unarmed Indigenous Guards who patrol their territories.

Members of the Indigenous Guard are often targeted by illegal armed groups seeking to expand their territory to grow coca, the raw material used to make cocaine, or to carry out illegal mining.

Last week, Jacob Guacheta Zambrano, a member of the Indigenous Guard, was found tortured and murdered in Colombia’s Cauca region.

The motive for his killing remains under investigation, and the search for those responsible continues. Indigenous leaders said that murders, intimidation and forced disappearances were common in the region as illegal armed groups competed for territory.

Brazil Also Sees Rising Risks for Environmental Activists

Global Witness warned that the number of environmental defenders killed in Brazil would double in 2025 compared with 2024.

As in Colombia, most of the incidents recorded in Brazil were primarily linked to land disputes, Global Witness researchers found.

Philippines Leads Killings Outside Latin America

Outside Latin America, 12% of recorded murders occurred in Asia. The Philippines had the highest number in the region, with 12 killings.

Global Witness said the number of recorded murders worldwide fell from 146 in 2024 to 128 in 2025. However, the group warned that the figures are likely an underestimate because many cases go unreported.