São Paulo, Brazil — For the second consecutive year, Latin America has witnessed the highest number of killings of environmental defenders worldwide. On September 10, the London-based NGO Global Witness released its annual report, revealing that 196 people were murdered for protecting the environment across the globe in 2023. Of these, 164 deaths, or 85%, occurred in Latin American countries.
Colombia leads this grim list with 79 activists murdered — the highest ever recorded by the NGO in a single country in one year. Brazil ranks second, with 25 deaths, followed by Mexico and Honduras, each with 18 killings.
“The murdered defenders were trying, in different ways, to protect the planet and defend their fundamental human rights. Each death leaves the world more vulnerable to climate crises, loss of biodiversity and increased pollution,” reads a section of the Global Witness report.
In 2022, Global Witness recorded 177 homicides of environmental defenders. This year, Brazil saw a decrease in killings of land defenders dropping from 34 to 25, while Colombia’s numbers surged dramatically, rising from 60 to 79.
Global Witness has been publishing its annual report on violence against environmental defenders since 2012. The organization estimates that at least 2,106 lives have been lost in the past decade, as individuals stood against deforestation, illegal activities, and the unchecked exploitation of natural resources.
(Marcelo Camargo / Agencia Brasil courtesy)
Colombia, which has amassed 461 murders over these years, has solidified its position as the deadliest country for environmental defenders. Brazil follows closely behind, with 401 killings during the same period.
According to the report, while the situation has improved under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the four years of Amazon exploitation encouraged by former President Jair Bolsonaro continue to take a heavy toll on the region.
Read more: Violence against Brazil’s indigenous people increased despite Lula’s efforts to reclaim native lands
Despite Lula’s government restoring funding for forest protection and creating a dedicated ministry to defend Indigenous peoples, much of Brazil’s Congress remains aligned with conservative, pro-agribusiness interests, echoing Bolsonaro’s policies.
“Political shifts remain a challenge in the face of a conservative Congress, dominated by the agricultural lobby, which prioritizes large landowners’ interests over agrarian reform,” the Global Witness report stated.
To curb violence against activists, the organization outlined recommendations for governments and states. Key proposals include creating safe environments where defenders can freely carry out their work without fear of being killed.
It also calls for laws to strengthen their protection, monitoring threats faced by activists, and ending impunity for those responsible for murders and persecution of environmental protectors.