Overview

• Latin America accounted for 82% of recorded killings, with Colombia the deadliest country at 48 cases followed by Mexico with 18 and Brazil with 12.
• Guatemala registered 20 deaths, a fivefold rise that produced the highest per‑capita rate of lethal attacks on environmental activists.
• Reported deaths fell about 28% from 196 in 2023 to 142 in 2024, while the cumulative toll since 2012 rose to 2,253.
• Most victims were Indigenous people or smallholder farmers targeted over conflicts linked to mining, logging, large‑scale agriculture, wildlife trafficking or energy projects.
• Global Witness cites frequent involvement of criminal groups and, in some cases, state security forces, notes widespread impunity, and urges stronger state protections and corporate due diligence.