A total of 146 land and environmental defenders were murdered or forcibly disappeared worldwide in 2024, with Colombia accounting for a third of the cases, according to a report released on Tuesday by the advocacy group Global Witness.
Global Trends
- The number of killings dropped from 196 in 2023 to 146 in 2024, but Global Witness warned that this does not indicate any improvement in the situation for defenders.
- Underreporting remains a significant issue in many countries, meaning the actual figures may be higher.
“Latin America recorded the highest number of killings and disappearances in 2024, with conflict-torn Colombia remaining the deadliest country for environmental defenders,” the report stated.
Defenders include a wide range of individuals working to protect land and natural resources from exploitation or environmental harm, including:
- Small-scale farmers
- Indigenous peoples
- Journalists
- Lawyers
- Rangers
- Other activists involved in safeguarding land from invaders, illegal grazing, mining, and similar threats
Country-Specific Data
| Country | Killings & Disappearances | Notes |
| Colombia | 48 | Down from 79 in 2023; affected by drug cartels, guerrillas, and paramilitary groups controlling drug territories and trafficking routes; biodiversity-rich areas impacted by drug trafficking and illegal mining |
| Guatemala | 20 | Second-highest number of killings and disappearances |
| Mexico | 19 | Persistent threats to environmental defenders |
| Brazil | 12 | Includes Amazon rainforest defenders |
| Philippines | 8 | Highlighting ongoing risks in Southeast Asia |
Colombia’s Context
- Colombia remains the deadliest country for environmental defenders due to the overlapping influence of drug trafficking, illegal mining, and paramilitary activity.
- Despite the decrease from 79 killings in 2023 to 48 in 2024, the country continues to face severe risks for those defending land and environmental rights.
“Activities ranging from drug trafficking to illegal mining are affecting areas rich in biodiversity,” the report notes, emphasising the continued dangers faced by activists in these regions.
Global Witness called for stronger protections and accountability for land and environmental defenders worldwide, noting that the figures likely underrepresent the true scale of the crisis.
