The protection situation in Latin America continues to deteriorate, according to a new regional monitoring report conducted between July and December 2025 by the ProLAC Initiative, which analyzes conditions across eleven countries and warns of a sustained increase in violence, forced displacement, and barriers to accessing international protection.
The report describes a regional landscape marked by territorial control by armed actors, rising organized crime, and shifts in migration policies that are affecting refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people across multiple national contexts.
One of the main trends identified is the increase in forced displacement linked to violence and organized crime. In several countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras, and Guatemala, entire families are leaving their homes due to extortion, threats, forced recruitment, and clashes between armed groups. The report notes that a significant proportion of people are living in contexts of violence or have already been internally displaced.
Another concerning trend is the increase in direct attacks against civilians in areas contested by armed groups and criminal organizations. These incidents include assaults, killings, and the use of explosives, disproportionately affecting communities unable to pay extortion fees or those resisting forced recruitment.
Robbery and extortion have also intensified both during transit and at migrants’ final destinations. People on the move face kidnappings, violence, and intimidation, particularly along border routes and key migration corridors, significantly increasing their vulnerability throughout the displacement process.
The report also warns of increasingly restrictive barriers to seeking asylum and international protection. Many people face lack of information, long delays, and more restrictive legislation, increasing the risk of deportation to countries where they may face serious danger. These obstacles especially affect those who have already begun asylum procedures.
Finally, discrimination is identified as one of the most widespread threats, limiting access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and housing. In several countries, migrants and displaced persons report xenophobic treatment and social exclusion, making integration more difficult and prolonging their vulnerability.
Overall, the report concludes that the region is facing an increasingly complex protection crisis, where violence, forced migration, and institutional limitations combine to deepen risks for millions of people across Latin America.
