Colombia Named World's Most Dangerous Country for Environmental Activists in 2023

Colombia has been identified as the deadliest country for environmental activists and land rights defenders in 2023, with a staggering 79 individuals murdered, according to a report by Global Witness. This alarming figure sets a new record for the highest number of such killings in a single country, as reported by the advocacy group. The report's release coincides with Colombia's role as the host nation for this year's United Nations COP16 biodiversity conference, highlighting a stark contrast between the country's environmental leadership aspirations and the perilous reality for its environmental defenders. Global Witness's findings underscore the extreme risks faced by those who stand up for environmental and land rights, with more than 2,100 defenders killed worldwide since 2012.