In a report by Global Witness, at least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or disappeared globally in 2024, with Colombia recorded as the deadliest country, accounting for 48 of these cases. Guatemala experienced a significant rise in killings, marking it as the country with the highest defender death rate. The increase in violence in Latin American countries, particularly Colombia, is attributed to conflicts over land and resource exploitation.
Since 2012, Global Witness has documented over 2,250 killings of land and environmental defenders, with three-quarters occurring in Latin America. The Escazu Agreement, aimed at protecting environmental defenders, has not been adequately ratified or implemented by some countries.
Indigenous people, who represent a small percentage of the global population, faced a disproportionate volume of lethal attacks, largely occurring in Latin America. In Colombia’s Cauca region, Indigenous youth are organizing to protect their heritage and lands amid threats from armed groups and extractive industries. Smaller farmers also represent a significant portion of casualties, mostly tied to land conflicts linked to mining and agribusiness.
The Putumayo region in southern Colombia exemplifies the dangers faced by defenders, compounded by armed conflict and illegal economies. Criminal networks involved in trafficking exacerbate the threats to environmental advocates, rendering the security situation increasingly volatile.
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