Cultural Survival Publishes 'In Memoriam' Report: More Than 46 Indigenous Defenders Murdered in Latin America in 2025
Latin America remains the world's most dangerous region for land defense, accounting for 82% of global cases of attacks on environmental defenders. Indigenous protectors face a double threat: defending rights and the environment, and being Indigenous, with 33% of all murdered defenders in 2024 being Indigenous. The “In Memoriam” highlights that the vast majority of attacks—over 95%—are rooted in the defense of lands and territories from extractive industries.
Key Points Highlighted:
• Sectors of Conflict: Mining ranks first among the sectors with the highest number of murders, followed by logging and agribusiness. These industries frequently encroach upon Indigenous territories due to their wealth of natural resources.
• Impunity Reigns: The killings as the "tip of the iceberg." In some Latin American countries, the overall impunity rate can be 90% or higher, a figure that is often surpassed when it comes to crimes against Indigenous defenders, as authorities tend not to conduct thorough investigations.
• Emerging Trends: The report highlights worrying new patterns, including the targeting of Indigenous defenders involved in international advocacy and a pattern of false accusations—such as terrorism—used to criminalize their land defense work.
• Case Spotlights: The report includes profiles of murdered defenders across the region, including the murder of Vicente Fernandes Vilhalva (Guaraní-Kaiowá) in Brazil by agricultural militias following a territorial reclamation, the assassination of Francisco Marupa (Leco) in Bolivia for his opposition to illegal mining in Madidi National Park, and multiple killings in Colombia—the country with the highest number of murders globally—such as traditional doctor Jose Albeiro Liz Muchicon (Nasa) and youth leader James Tomás Guanga Quelal (Awá).
"The loss of 46 Indigenous defenders in a single year is a profound tragedy that affects us all," stated Alicia Moncada (Wayuu), Cultural Survival Director of Advocacy and Communications. "These individuals were the protectors of our planet, holding invaluable knowledge about how to safeguard our ecosystems. Their murders are not isolated incidents but a systemic crisis intended to intimidate and close civic space. We publish this report to honor their lives, their work, and what they stood for. Cultural Survival is committed to uplifting Indigenous voices and continuing our work for justice alongside the affected communities."
Cultural Survival compiled these cases from media reports, communities, and partner organizations, with the goal of making all names and legacies of defenders known, regardless of media coverage, and to work for justice for those affected.
The report calls on national governments and the international community to take decisive action to uphold the existing legal frameworks, such as the Escazú Agreement, to ensure the effective protection of human rights and land defenders and to combat the pervasive impunity that enables these crimes.
About Cultural Survival
Cultural Survival (CS) is an Indigenous-led NGO and U.S.-registered non-profit that advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience since 1972. For over 53 years, Cultural Survival has partnered with Indigenous communities to advance Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultures worldwide. CS envisions a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance. The core of Cultural Survival’s efforts rests on the principles of supporting, amplifying efforts, and raising awareness of self-determination for Indigenous communities. To learn more, visit www.cs.org
Agnes Portalewska, Senior Communications Manager
Cultural Survival
agnes@cs.org
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