People protecting nature and land set up self-defence units amid threat of murder
Indigenous communities in Latin America are forming self-defense units to protect their lands from organized crime and illegal environmental exploitation. A new report reveals that environmental defenders are being killed at a rate of one every three days, with the vast majority of these incidents occurring in Latin America.
Why it matters
The escalation of violence against land defenders highlights the intersection of environmental protection, human rights, and the growing influence of organized crime in remote territories.
Asháninka Indigenous people dance and sing during an annual celebration recognising the Asháninka territory. In July, Asháninka leaders on the Brazilian border with Peru petitioned the government for help after armed and masked men entered their homes. Asháninka Indigenous people dance and sing during an annual celebration recognising the Asháninka territory. In July, Asháninka leaders on the Brazilian border with Peru petitioned the government for help after armed and masked men entered their homes. Indigenous peoples People protecting nature and land set up self-defence units amid threat of murder Defenders of forests and rivers killed at rate of one every three days in 2025, with 85% of deaths in Latin America
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