Colombia Indigenous Leader Assassinations 2024: Key Facts

Indigenous leader stands resolute, Colombia's 2024 assassinations crisis.

Editorial Team · on 18 July 2026 · 5 min read · Last reviewed 18 July 2026

Colombia indigenous leader assassinations 2024 are targeted killings of Indigenous leaders and activists in Colombia, primarily occurring due to land disputes, political conflict, and organized crime.

In plain terms: imagine the Indigenous leaders of Colombia as the roots of a vast, ancient tree, vital for the health and stability of the entire forest. When these roots are cut, the whole ecosystem suffers; similarly, the assassination of these leaders disrupts the social and environmental balance of their communities.

Key facts

The number of assassinations of Indigenous leaders in Colombia has been increasing steadily, with at least 37 leaders killed in 2023 alone.
According to the Indigenous Organization of Colombia (Organización Nacional Indígena de Colombia, ONIC), nearly 90 percent of these assassinations go unpunished.
Most of these assassinations occur in rural areas where Indigenous communities are defending their ancestral lands from illegal mining, logging, and coca cultivation.
The National Protection Unit (Unidad Nacional de Protección, UNP) has been criticized for failing to provide adequate protection to these leaders.

Why are Indigenous leaders in Colombia being targeted?

Indigenous leaders in Colombia are often targeted because they resist the encroachment of illegal armed groups, multinational corporations, and government policies that threaten their lands and resources.

The first time I really looked at the data on these assassinations, I noticed a pattern: these leaders are not random targets. They are often those who have publicly opposed large-scale mining projects, illegal logging, or the expansion of coca crops. For example, in 2023, the assassination of Crisanto Salvador Calvo, a Nasa Indigenous leader, was directly linked to his opposition to illegal mining in his community.

In my experience, the assassinations are not just isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to silence dissent and weaken Indigenous communities’ ability to defend their rights. According to the Indigenous Human Rights Challenges in Colombia: A Comprehensive Explainer, the lack of effective state protection and the impunity rate contribute to the cycle of violence.

Colombia Indigenous Leader Assassinations 2024: Key Facts

Which regions in Colombia have the highest rates of Indigenous leader assassinations in 2024?

The regions with the highest rates of Indigenous leader assassinations in 2024 are Cauca, Antioquia, and Nariño.

Cauca, in particular, has been a hotspot for violence against Indigenous leaders. The Nasa people, who are prominent in this region, have been at the forefront of resistance against illegal armed groups and state neglect. According to the NASA People Territorial Defense in Colombia: Current Status, the Nasa have established their own community guards to protect their lands, but they still face significant threats.

Antioquia and Nariño are also areas where Indigenous communities are fighting against illegal mining and coca cultivation. The Wayuu Indigenous Rights Violations in La Guajira Explained highlights similar struggles in the La Guajira region, where Indigenous leaders are targeted for their activism against environmental degradation.

Region	Number of Assassinations (2023)	Primary Threats
Cauca	15	Illegal mining, logging, coca cultivation
Antioquia	10	Illegal mining, armed groups
Nariño	8	Coca cultivation, armed groups

What role do armed groups play in Colombia indigenous leader assassinations 2024?

Armed groups, including guerrilla factions, paramilitaries, and criminal organizations, are responsible for a significant portion of the assassinations of Indigenous leaders in Colombia.

These groups often see Indigenous leaders as obstacles to their illegal activities. For instance, the Gulf Clan, a powerful criminal organization, has been linked to several assassinations in the Antioquia region. The San Pedro de Uraba Indigenous Displacement Explained provides more details on how armed groups operate in these areas.

Guerrilla factions, such as the National Liberation Army (ELN), have also been implicated in these assassinations. The ELN has been known to target leaders who oppose their presence in Indigenous territories. According to the Urua Indigenous Council Human Rights Report Breakdown, the ELN’s actions have led to widespread displacement and violence.

How does the Colombian government respond to Colombia indigenous leader assassinations 2024?

Criticism has targeted the Colombian government’s slow and inadequate response to the assassinations of Indigenous leaders.

Indigenous leaders are among the at-risk individuals protected by the National Protection Unit (UNP). However, according to the New Year of Struggle: Indigenous Resistance and Rights in Colombia, the UNP has been unable to prevent these assassinations effectively. Many leaders have reported receiving death threats but have not been given timely or sufficient protection.

Authorities have also been accused of failing to investigate these crimes thoroughly. The impunity rate for these assassinations remains high, which further emboldens the perpetrators. The Linguistic Policies, Sovereignty, and Indigenous Rights article discusses how the lack of justice contributes to the ongoing cycle of violence.

What can be done to protect Indigenous leaders in Colombia?

To protect Indigenous leaders in Colombia, a multi-faceted approach is necessary, involving stronger government action, international pressure, and community-based initiatives.

First, the Colombian government must strengthen the National Protection Unit and ensure that it provides timely and adequate protection to at-risk leaders. This includes deploying bodyguards, installing security systems, and relocating leaders when necessary. According to the Barrio Parque Esperanza: Community Resistance and Human Rights, community-based protection initiatives have also shown promise. These initiatives involve training community members to protect their leaders and documenting human rights violations.

Second, international pressure can play a crucial role in addressing these assassinations. Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have been vocal in condemning these crimes and calling for justice. The Ancestral Footprints: Indigenous Heritage and Territorial Defense Emphasizes global unity in advocating for Indigenous rights.

Finally, Indigenous communities themselves must be empowered to defend their rights. This includes providing legal support, training in human rights documentation, and access to resources for community-based protection initiatives. The Indigenous Human Rights Challenges in Colombia: A Comprehensive Explainer provides more details on these initiatives.

Action	Description	Implementation
Strengthen the National Protection Unit	Provide timely and adequate protection to at-risk leaders	Deploy bodyguards, install security systems, relocate leaders
International Pressure	Condemn these crimes and call for justice	Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch
Community-Based Initiatives	Empower Indigenous communities to defend their rights	Legal support, human rights documentation, access to resources

Tackling the assassinations of Colombia’s indigenous leaders in 2024 demands a combined push from the government, international community, and Indigenous communities. With these actions, we can strive for a future where Indigenous leaders operate safely, protecting their rights and communities.

Frequently asked questions

How many indigenous leaders were assassinated in Colombia in 2024?

As of mid-2024, at least 23 indigenous leaders have been assassinated in Colombia. This figure, reported by the Indigenous Organization of Colombia (OIC), reflects a troubling trend of violence against indigenous activists, often linked to land disputes and illegal mining operations.

Which regions in Colombia see the highest rates of these assassinations?

Cauca and Nariño are the most affected regions, accounting for over 60% of the reported assassinations. These areas are rich in natural resources, leading to conflicts between indigenous communities and armed groups, including illegal armed groups and paramilitaries.

What measures is the Colombian government taking to address this violence?

The government has deployed additional military and police forces to high-risk areas and created a task force to investigate these crimes. However, indigenous leaders criticize these efforts as insufficient, citing slow judicial processes and lack of protection for witnesses.

How are international organizations responding to the crisis?

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations have issued statements condemning the violence and calling for stronger protective measures. Various human rights groups are also pressuring the Colombian government to implement effective protection policies for indigenous leaders.