São Paulo, Brazil – For the second year in a row, Latin America witnessed the highest number of murders of environmentalists worldwide. On September 10, London-based NGO Global Witness released its annual report, revealing that 196 people were killed protecting the environment across the globe in 2023. Of these, 164 deaths, or 85%, occurred in Latin American countries.
Colombia tops this grim list with 79 activists killed – the highest ever recorded by the NGO in a single country in a single year. Brazil ranks second, with 25 deaths, followed by Mexico and Honduras, each with 18.
“The slain defenders were trying, in different ways, to protect the planet and protect their basic human rights. Each death makes the world more vulnerable to climate crises, loss of biodiversity and increased pollution,” reads part of the Global Witness report.
In 2022, Global Witness recorded 177 murders of environmentalists. This year, Brazil saw a drop in the killing of land defenders from 34 to 25, while Colombia’s number rose dramatically, rising from 60 to 79.
Global Witness has published its annual report on violence against environmentalists since 2012. The organization estimates that at least 2,106 lives have been lost in the past decade as individuals protested deforestation, illegal activities and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources.
(Courtesy Marcelo Camargo / Agencia Brasil)
Colombia, which has accumulated 461 murders over the years, has solidified its position as the deadliest country for environmentalists. Brazil follows closely behind, with 401 murders 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 their homelands
Despite Lula’s government restoring funding for forest protection and creating a ministry dedicated to protecting indigenous peoples, much of Brazil’s Congress remains aligned with conservative, pro-agribusiness interests, echoing Bolsonaro’s policies.
“Policy change remains a challenge in the face of a conservative Congress, dominated by the agricultural lobby, which prioritizes the interests of large landowners over agrarian reform,” the Global Witness report said.
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, monitor the threats activists face and end impunity for those responsible for killing and persecuting environmentalists.
