latin america and caribbean, biodiverse butterflies in amazon forest
Photo showing intact forest and biodiversity in Acre state, Brazil, November 2020. Lalo de Almeida / Panos / Global Witness

Latin America and the Caribbean

Home to the lungs of the planet (the Amazon rainforest) and the world’s most biodiverse savannah (the Cerrado), Latin America and the Caribbean are integral hubs for thousands of plant and animal species – and the Indigenous Peoples striving to conserve them.

Brazil is set to host COP30 in 2025, giving the region a unique opportunity to revitalise the global movement for a safe and just planet. Yet deforestation here is rife, with profiteering companies and banks funnelling money into destructive agribusinesses. Oil and gas production continues to grow, while mining fuels invasive land grabs, harassment and violence against nearby communities. Those who resist such corporate greed often pay with their lives – Latin America is now the deadliest place in the world for land and environmental defenders. We’re campaigning for the region’s leaders to lead by example, shake off the influence of extractive businesses and put people and planet first.