Bolivian environmental defender Marupa murdered: ‘they killed a defender of nature’

Francisco Marupa, defender of the Madidi National Park in Bolivia, was known for his lifelong effort to protect nature, his people and their territory against illegal activities. Last week, he was killed in his own home. Multiple sources connect the murder to criminal groups involved in illegal mining and land grabbing activities^[1]Opinion. (2025). Asesinan a un indígena del Pueblo Leco en el Madidi y culpan a las mafias de la tierra y de la minería ilegal. ^[2]El Deber. (2025). Muerte de indígena se dio en territorio avasallado por minería y tráfico de madera, but the case is still under investigation. ‘Extractive activities are fuelling violence in some of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Protecting these communities is crucial, yet this killing sends a clear message: profit is being placed above life. It is essential to document these threats closely and expose the dangers faced by those defending their land,’ says Mariel Cabero, expert environmental justice at IUCN NL.

Header photo: Rio Beni in Madidi National Park © Mariel Cabero

Protecting Madidi National Park

Francisco Marupa was an Indigenous leader of the Leco people of the Torewa territory located in the Madidi National Park in La Paz, Bolivia. He was found murdered in his home on Friday, 15 February. ‘Not only did they kill a Leco Indigenous person, they also killed a defender of nature, of our mother earth,’ wrote the Indigenous Center of the Leco People of Apolo (CIPLA) in a statement.

Due to its biodiversity and cultural significance, the Madidi National Park is a protected area. Mining or other extractive operations should not be performed in this area, but unfortunately this is not the reality. Indigenous peoples face the consequences of these activities.

‘Killings are the most extreme form of intimidation, but they are not the only one. Indigenous communities in Madidi, including the Leco people, face constant threats, harassment, and other forms of violence that relate to extractive activities.’

• Mariel Cabero, expert environmental justice at IUCN NL

Violence against environmental defenders

According to Global Witness, 196 environmental human rights defenders were murdered in 2023, with Colombia reporting the highest number of killings.^[3]Global Witness. (2024). Missing Voices: The Violent Erasure of Land and Environmental Defenders. Even though Bolivia is not among the first countries on the list, the death of Fransisco Marupa is not an isolated phenomenon.

‘Killings are the most extreme form of intimidation, but they are not the only one. Indigenous communities in Madidi, including the Leco people, face constant threats, harassment, and other forms of violence that relate to extractive activities,’ says Cabero. The Bolivian Centre for Legal Studies and Social Research (CEJIS) reported an increase in violence against defenders in the area of Madidi National Park, along with a rise in illegal mining activities. They state that Indigenous communities standing up against these mining and land grabbing activities, are ‘extremely vulnerable’.^[4]Erbol. (2025). CEJIS condena asesinato de líder indígena y alerta sobre violencia por minería ilegal

According to Dionicio Gutiérrez, leader of the Territorio Indígena Originario, the murder of Marupa happened within a context of ongoing intimidation faced by the Leco Indigenous suffering from intimidation for several years now, writes the Bolivian newspaper Opinión.

• Read about the situation of Bolivian environmental defender Marcos Uzquiano

Need for action

The lack of action from the Bolivian authorities to protect the Leco Indigenous peoples and their territorial rights, further facilitates the violence against environmental defenders. Local institutions in Bolivia mention that the death of Francisco Marupahighlights the need to implement effective measures to protect human rights and environmental defenders.^[5] Red Eclesial Panamazónica (Repam Bolivia), la Conferencia Eclesial de la Amazonía (Ceama Bolivia) y los vicariatos apostólicos de Pando, Reyes y Beni.

The Leco people are putting pressure on the State by pushing forward their demands for guarantees for the protection of their legally recognised territories. ‘Extractive activities are fuelling violence in some of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Protecting these communities is crucial, yet this killing sends a clear message: profit is being placed above life. It is essential to document these threats closely and expose the dangers faced by those defending their land,’ states Cabero.