Mexico (AFP) – Several organizations proposed on Thursday from Mexico a common legal framework to confront ecocide in Latin America, the most dangerous region for environmental defenders.
First modification: 02/10/2026 - 19:48
Countries like Colombia already penalize ecocide, as the serious and intentional destruction of the environment is known.
An initiative presented in Mexico City aims for countries to adopt a common legal framework to "criminalize serious environmental destruction," the international NGO Stop Ecocide said in a statement.
In 2025, Colombia and Brazil accounted for 52% of the murders of environmental defenders, with 39 and 26 deaths respectively, according to the NGO Global Witness.
Among the causes are rural conflicts, deforestation and illegal mining.
The majority of the victims are indigenous and peasants.
Many of the cases remain unpunished.
The common legal framework proposes tougher sanctions against those who try to intimidate ecocide whistleblowers.
It is a way to "prevent and eventually punish those who want to attack those who protect nature," Rodrigo Lledó, director for Latin America of the organization Stop Ecocidio, told AFP by telephone.
The regulatory framework proposes that States repair environmental damage when they do not identify those responsible.
The initiative is also promoted by the Mexican Center for Environmental Law, the Association of Researchers in Environmental and Climate Criminal Law and the Ibero-American University of Mexico.
© 2026 AFP
The content you requested does not exist or is no longer available.
