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Story summary
- Global Witness reported 124 land and environmental defenders were killed in 2025, including 39 in Colombia.
- Latin America accounted for 85% of documented killings, the deadliest region since 2012.
- Land disputes were linked to 84 deaths, over half of the 2025 global total.
- Indigenous people comprised 44 of the victims, including seven community-guard members.
- Organised crime or hitmen were suspected in over one-third of killings, suggesting figures underestimate violence.