BERLIN, Germany – Widespread corruption in the Americas is fuelling human rights violations, impunity and thwarting efforts to combat climate change, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released today by Transparency International. With an average score of 42 out of 100, the region remains just below the global average of 43.
Corruption across the Americas has allowed criminal networks to operate freely and with impunity. This has facilitated widespread environmental crimes, from illegal logging in Ecuador (32) and illegal mining in Chile (63) and Colombia (39), to wildlife trafficking in Brazil (34).
Almost 80 percent of the 1,013 climate activists murdered since 2019 happened in the Americas (794), most notably in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.
In Honduras (22), at least three environmental defenders have been killed for exposing the role of businesspeople, politicians and organised crime networks in corruption schemes, according to a recent investigation. Global Witness dataset revealed that 71 activists have been murdered in the country since 2019.
Luciana Torchiaro, Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Advisor of Transparency International, said:
“To overcome corruption and build more peaceful, resilient and sustainable societies, governments in the Americas must protect those who speak out and hold the powerful to account. Enforcing stronger sanctions and adopting stricter regulation on accountants, banks, and lawyers enabling the corrupt and criminals to launder their dirty money are key measures to dismantle corruption networks.”
Americas highlights
The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
- The top scorers in the Americas are Uruguay (76), Canada (75) and Barbados (68). For the first time since 2012 the top score is in South America.
- Haiti (16), Nicaragua (14) and Venezuela (10) have the lowest scores.
Corruption and climate change
- In Brazil (34), a recent report identified 24 instances of fraud, corruption and money laundering stemming from the wildlife trafficking trade
- In Guyana (39), state capture by economic and political elites has led to resource misappropriation, illicit enrichment, and environmental crimes.
- Across the region, weak and opaque judiciary branches have also restricted effective enforcement and justice. The judiciary of Mexico (26) has failed to take action against corruption cases like Odebrecht and Segalmex, with the country having its lowest score ever.
- Weak and unaccountable public institutions have allowed political and economic elites to enrich themselves through procurement fraud, bribery and undue influence.
Maíra Martini, chief executive officer of Transparency International, said:
“Urgent action is needed worldwide to root out corruption that undermines climate action through theft, misuse of funds, and undue influence. Governments and multilateral organisations must embed anti-corruption measures in climate efforts to protect funding and rebuild trust. Only by tackling corruption head-on can we unlock the full power of climate action and accelerate the fight for our planet’s future.”
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