With nature under threat, you might think that defenders of the land and sea might be considered heroes.
Not so in Latin America. For years, it has been one of the world’s deadliest regions for environmental activists.
Colombia usually tops this tragic list. Mexico is not far behind, with 18 activists assassinated in 2020.
This year, Mexico is on track to surpass that grim record.
Correspondent Franc Contreras spent much of the past year investigating the causes of these acts of violence against those who defend the Earth.