In addition, the organization presented an additional watch list of countries where persecution could worsen: Russia, which ranked 62nd; Honduras, 66th; Venezuela, 67th; Ukraine, 77th; and Israel, 78th.
Open Doors noted that Nicaragua is the country that has risen the most on the list compared with its position last year (from 50th place in 2023 to 30th in 2024). Colombia also appears in the ranking, although it fell 12 places compared with 2023 (from 22 to 34).
In Colombia, the organization explained, “religious leaders continue to be harassed, extorted, and murdered in conflicts over territory between armed guerrillas, drug cartels, and other armed gangs.”
“Christians and religious leaders who dare to speak publicly about corruption and violence are targeted. Followers of Jesus who work with young people or defend human and environmental rights are also targets of armed groups,” the report stated.
Other countries in Hispanic America present in the ranking are Cuba (22nd place) and Mexico (37th place).
The 2024 World Persecution List is led by North Korea, where — according to Open Doors — being discovered as a Christian “is a death sentence.” The North Korean communist regime sends followers of Jesus to forced labor camps, where they are killed outright or face torture that few survive.
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