Nearly 200 Environmental Defenders Murdered in 2023

Latin America remains the most dangerous region for those challenging ecological destruction, accounting for 85% of global fatalities in 2023. Colombia recorded 79 deaths—the highest annual toll for any single nation since tracking began. Brazil, Honduras, and Mexico followed, cementing the region's status as a flashpoint for violence. While some governments claim to prioritize environmental protection, organizers argue that the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.

The Drivers of Global Violence

Conflict over natural resources frequently turns lethal, particularly when local populations oppose mining operations, which were linked to 25 of the confirmed murders. As nations race to secure minerals essential for the transition to renewable energy, experts warn that the pressure on Indigenous land is mounting. Nearly half of all victims last year were Indigenous or Afrodescendant individuals. Jenifer Lasimbang, an activist from Malaysia, noted that the drive for a 'green economy' often mirrors past cycles of exploitation, with governments issuing new prospecting licenses despite the high environmental and human cost.

Beyond the physical danger in resource-rich nations, activists in Western countries face a different form of repression. Legislatures in the U.K., the U.S., and across the E.U. have increasingly criminalized protest, passing laws that target environmental movements under the guise of protecting national infrastructure. This trend culminated in the January 2023 death of activist Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, who was killed by police while protesting a proposed police training facility in Georgia. Global Witness is now urging international leaders to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure that those on the frontlines of the climate crisis can speak without fear of lethal retaliation.