Global Witness report: 80% of land defender deaths in Latin America

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2025

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — At least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or have gone missing around the world in 2024, with more than 80% of those cases in Latin America, according to a report released Wednesday by watchdog group Global Witness.

The London-based organization said the region once again ranked as the most dangerous for people protecting their homes, communities and natural resources, recording 120 of the total cases. Colombia remained the deadliest country, with 48 killings — nearly a third of cases worldwide — followed by Guatemala with 20 and Mexico with 18.

The number of killings in Guatemala jumped fivefold from four in 2023, making it the country with the highest per capita rate of defender deaths in the world. Brazil registered 12 killings, while Honduras, Chile and Mexico each recorded one disappearance.

“There are many factors that contribute to the persistent high levels of violence in Latin American countries, particularly Colombia,” Laura Furones, lead researcher of the report, told The Associated Press. “These countries are rich in natural resources and have vast areas of land under pressure for food and feed production. Conflict over the extraction of such resources and over the use of such land often leads to violence against defenders trying to uphold their rights.”

Since 2012, Global Witness has documented more than 2,250 killings and disappearances of land and environmental defenders worldwide. Nearly three-quarters occurred in Latin America, including close to 1,000 cases since 2018, when the region adopted the Escazu Agreement — a treaty designed to protect environmental defenders. The pact requires governments to guarantee access to environmental information, ensure public participation in environmental decision-making and take timely measures to prevent and punish attacks against those who defend the environment.

“The Escazu Agreement provides a crucial tool for Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Furones. “But some countries have still not ratified it, and others that have are proving slow to implement and resource it properly. Stopping violence against defenders will not happen overnight, but governments must ramp up their efforts toward full implementation.”

Indigenous resistance

The report noted that Indigenous peoples bore a disproportionate share of the violence. They accounted for around one-third of all lethal attacks worldwide last year despite making up only about 6% of the global population. Ninety-four percent of all attacks on Indigenous defenders documented in the report occurred in Latin America.

In Colombia’s southwestern Cauca region, Indigenous youth are working to ensure they will not be the next generation of victims. Through community “semilleros,” or seedbeds, children and teenagers train in environmental care, cultural traditions and territorial defense — preparing to take on leadership roles in protecting land that has come under pressure from armed groups and extractive industries.

“We are defenders because our lives and territories are under threat,” said Yeing Aníbal Secué, a 17-year-old Indigenous youth leader from Toribio, Cauca, who spoke to AP in July.

These initiatives show how communities are organizing at the grassroots to resist violence, even as Colombia remains the deadliest country for defenders.

Small-scale farmers were also heavily targeted, making up 35% of the victims in the region. Most killings were tied to land disputes, and many were linked to industries such as mining, logging and agribusiness. Organized crime groups were suspected of being behind at least 42 cases, followed by private security forces and hired hitmen.

Colombia one of the worst hit

The Amazonian department of Putumayo in southern Colombia illustrates many of the risks faced by defenders. With its strategic location bridging the Andes and the Amazon, the region is rich in forests, rivers and cultural knowledge. But it also sits at the crossroads of armed conflict, extractive projects and illicit economies. Armed groups have long used the Putumayo River as a trafficking route toward Brazil and Ecuador, where weak controls make it easier to move cocaine, minerals and laundered money.

An environmental defender there, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisals, told AP this has created one of the most hostile climates in the country.

“Defending rights here means living under permanent threat,” the source said. “We face pressure from illegal mining, oil projects tied to armed groups, deforestation and coca cultivation. Speaking out often makes you a military target.”

Andrew Miller of the nonprofit Amazon Watch said transnational criminal networks involved in drug, gold and timber trafficking have become a major force behind threats — and often deadly attacks — against environmental defenders.

“The security situation for defenders across the Amazon is increasingly precarious,” Miller said.

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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Chinese and Philippine ships collide near disputed shoal

Published

2 hours ago

September 17, 2025

The Editors

BEIJING (AP) — China’s coast guard accused a Philippine ship of deliberately ramming one of its vessels on Tuesday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines denied it, saying China’s forces used powerful water cannons that damaged its ship and injured a crew member.

A Chinese coast guard statement said more than 10 Philippine government ships coming from various directions entered the waters around the shoal, which is called Huangyan island in Chinese. It said it deployed water cannons against the vessels.

The encounter came six days after China announced it was designating part of Scarborough Shoal as a national nature reserve. The Philippine government, which calls the shoal Bajo de Masinloc, filed a diplomatic protest.

China and the Philippines have clashed repeatedly around outcroppings in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. The two countries are among several that have competing claims to territory in the waters, which are of strategic importance and home to valuable fishing grounds.

The Philippine coast guard said two Chinese coast guard ships hit a Filipino fisheries vessel, the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, with powerful water cannons for nearly 30 minutes “resulting in significant damage,” including in the captain’s cabin and the bridge. A glass window was shattered and injured a personnel while the deluge of water caused a short circuit that affected electrical outlets and five outdoor air-conditioning units, it said.

A Chinese navy warship also broadcast a radio notice “announcing live-fire exercises” at the shoal which caused panic among Filipino fishermen, said the Philippine coast guard.

The Philippine coast guard and fisheries ships were deployed to the shoal on Tuesday to provide fuel, water, ice and other aid to more than 35 fishing boats in the area.

Several friendly countries have backed the Philippines on the nature reserve.

A statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Chinese action “yet another coercive move to advance sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors.”

The U.K. and Australia also expressed concern, and the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines said it opposed attempts to use environmental protection as a way to take control over the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

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Mariners’ Cal Raleigh sets single-season HR record by switch hitter, ties franchise record

Published

3 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Johnny Flores Jr.

Just two days after tying Mickey Mantle for the most home runs in a single season by a switch hitter (54), Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has reset the record. With his 55th home run of the season, Raleigh stands alone among switch hitters, topping a record that had stood since 1961.

A historic 55th for Cal Raleigh!

No switch-hitter has EVER had as many homers in a season 🤯 #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/AkI86KzCTA

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 17, 2025

Facing the Kansas City Royals in a critical three-game set, Raleigh unloaded his 55th homer of the year in the third inning, a 419-foot blast to right field off starter Michael Wacha.

However, Raleigh wasn’t done making history just yet. An inning later, Raleigh unloaded a two-run homer, this time from the right side of the plate, to tie Ken Griffey Jr. for the Mariners’ single-season home run record (56). Raleigh’s 56 home runs lead MLB this season.

THE YEAR OF CAL RALEIGH NEVER STOPS

56 HR this season and TWO tonight! pic.twitter.com/tOfHFmV1r2

— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2025

In all, Raleigh has 35 homers from the left side and 21 from the right.

Before resetting Mantle’s switch hitter record, Raleigh had already passed Salvador Perez’s record of 48 home runs by a catcher in a single season. His 57th homer will give him one more record as the Mariners’ single-season holder.

If that already wasn’t enough history, Raleigh also became the first switch hitter to win the Home Run Derby, outlasting Junior Caminero at Atlanta’s Truist Park in July. With 12 games remaining in the Mariners’ season (counting Tuesday night’s contest), Raleigh would need six home runs to match Aaron Judge’s record for most homers in a season by an American League player (62).

(Photo of Cal Raleigh celebrating his home run in the third inning Tuesday: Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

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Barbra Streisand among stars to pay tribute to Robert Redford: ‘One of the finest actors ever’ | Robert Redford

Published

3 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Benjamin Lee

Barbra Streisand has paid tribute to Robert Redford, calling him “one of the finest actors ever”.

The entertainer shared a statement after her co-star in The Way We Were died at the age of 89 on Tuesday. His publicist wrote that he died “at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved”.

On Instagram, Streisand reminisced about their time together while making the 1973 hit.

“Every day on the set of The Way We Were was exciting, intense and pure joy,” she wrote. “We were such opposites: he was from the world of horses; I was allergic to them! Yet, we kept trying to find out more about each other, just like the characters in the movie. Bob was charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting— and one of the finest actors ever. The last time I saw him, when he came to lunch, we discussed art and decided to send each other our first drawings. He was one of a kind and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.”

Romantic drama The Way We Were was a critical and commercial hit with Streisand’s theme song also becoming a chart hit and receiving an Oscar nomination.

Streisand’s tribute joins a long list from Hollywood and beyond after Redford’s death. Meryl Streep, who starred with him in Out of Africa and Lions for Lambs, wrote: “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.”

Jane Fonda, who starred with him in four movies including Barefoot in the Park, said in a statement: “It hit me hard this morning when I read that Bob was gone. I can’t stop crying. He meant a lot to me and was a beautiful person in every way. He stood for an America we have to keep fighting for.”

“Bob was a unique artist, in front of and behind the camera … and he gave the world of American cinema something irreplaceable and lasting with Sundance,” said film-maker Martin Scorsese, who Redford directed in his film Quiz Show. “It saddens me to know that I won’t be seeing him again. And I’ll never forget my time with him.”

Ethan Hawke remembered him as “our ultimate champion of independent film, relentless advocate for authentic storytelling and fiercely passionate environmentalist”, while Leonardo DiCaprio told Associated Press that Redford’s death was “a huge loss”.

“Not only was he an incredible actor — we all know his work — but his ability, as a director too, films like Quiz Show,” he said. “He was one of the first guys to do political thrillers – Three Days of the Condor, All the President’s Men … he paved the way for films like this but more so than anything, he was a staunch environmental leader and was a member of the NRDC, like me, and fought for Indigenous rights — the list goes on and on. We lost a legend today.”

Morgan Freeman wrote on Instagram: “There are certain people you know that you’re going to click with. After working with Robert Redford on Brubaker in 1980, we instantly became friends. Working with him again in An Unfinished Life was a dream come true. Rest peacefully, my friend.”

Journalist Bob Woodward, who Redford played in All the President’s Men, wrote on Instagram, “He will be remembered as one of the greatest storytellers in our country’s history. He elevated stories beyond mainstream. He not only cared about the environment, but he took all conceivable actions to protect it.”

Samuel L Jackson wrote on Instagram: “It was a dream come true to work on screen with Mr Redford. Sometimes your heroes don’t disappoint and truly are as great as you imagined.”

Hillary Clinton shared a picture of her with Redford, writing: “He championed progressive values like protecting the environment and access to the arts while creating opportunities for new generations of activists and filmmakers. A true American icon.”

Scarlett Johansson, who starred in The Horse Whisperer, a drama directed by and starring Redford looked back on their time together. “He was patient and warm and kind,” she said. “Bob taught me what acting could be, and it was from his generosity and patience that I was inspired to pursue the possibilities of the craft. That same generosity and love of the art inspired Bob’s creation of Sundance, a place where film-makers learn from one another, inspire one another, and discover one another’s talent. Bob, thank you for your belief in me and for your grace and guidance.”

He was also described by Ron Howard as an “artistic game changer”.

Redford was known for his many films as an actor, including The Sting, All the President’s Men and Spy Game, but also played a key role in the Sundance film festival, with many seeing him as a pioneer of US independent cinema.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford,” a Sundance statement read. “Bob’s vision of a space and a platform for independent voices launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the US and around the world.”