Environment & Climate
Colombia and Brazil suffer most environmental activist killings, report says
Colombia and Brazil accounted for over half of global environmental activist deaths in 2025, BBC News reports.
The short version
- A report by Global Witness found that Colombia and Brazil were the deadliest nations for land and environmental defenders in 2025, accounting for 52% of killings worldwide.[BBC News]
- Latin America remained the most dangerous region globally, comprising 85% of all documented deaths.[BBC News]
- Although global reported fatalities fell to 128 in 2025 from 146 the previous year, the group cautions the true total is likely higher due to underreporting.[BBC News]
Key facts
- Colombia had the highest number of activist killings in 2025 with 39 recorded deaths, followed by Brazil with 26.[BBC News]
- Brazil experienced a doubling in the number of land and environmental defender killings in 2025 compared to 2024.[BBC News]
- Latin America accounted for 85% of documented killings of activists in 2025.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
- Global Witness noted that actual global killings are likely higher than the 128 documented cases because many incidents go unreported.[BBC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.