While South America is renowned for its stunning landscapes, safety is one aspect many travelers shouldn’t overlook. 

South America was the only region in the world to show an overall improvement in peacefulness in the 2025 Global Peace Index, with an increase of 0.59%.

Yet, Colombia remains the most dangerous country in the region, and there’s more to the story. 

TL;DR

• Colombia and Venezuela are the least peaceful in South America, both scoring around 2.69 on the GPI, driven by conflict, crime, and political instability.
• Uruguay and Argentina are the most peaceful, with scores near 1.77–1.78, showing a 34% gap in peacefulness compared to Colombia.
• The region is split. Northern countries face violence and instability, while southern countries maintain stronger institutions and lower crime levels.

The GPI assigns each country a score. 

It also provides a global ranking of 163 countries, with 1 being the most peaceful and 163 the least peaceful.

NOTE: By the end of 2025, Ecuador recorded the highest homicide rate in Latin America. 

Put simply, the GPI is flagging that Colombia still hasn’t shaken off its violent past, even if daily life in Bogotá cafés feels calmer than the statistics suggest.

Colombia: Why It Ranks First in Risk 

Colombia tops the list of risky places in South America due to rising violence and ongoing issues with leadership. 

It is ranked 140 out of 163 countries globally.

• According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), between January and May 2025, humanitarian mass displacement increased by 117% compared with the same period in 2024.
• In February 2025, residents in Chocó and other frontier departments have reported armed “strikes”, displacement, and clashes between dissident groups and state forces, which have renewed humanitarian pressure and undermined local security. 

The suspension of some international aid programs has also weakened reintegration efforts and could lead to increased violence.

Other Countries of Concern

Venezuela

Ranking: Low global peace score of 2.692. In terms of peace, it ranks 139 out of 163 globally. 

Crime Index Score: Caracas, the capital, had a crime index score of 81.5 in 2025, ranking it among the world’s most dangerous cities.

For one, the country experiences high rates of homicide, robbery, kidnapping, and violent demonstrations. 

• The most recent detailed data is from 2019, showing a homicide rate of 40.98 per 100,000 people.
• The rate has generally been declining since 2016, when it was 56.62 per 100,000 people.

“Express kidnappings” (short-term abductions for quick cash withdrawal) are common. 

Peru

Ranking: Although showing one of the largest improvements in peacefulness in 2025, the country still faces significant crime issues. It is ranked 96 out of 163 countries on the 2025 Global Peace Index.

Crime increase in Lima: According to a “Lima Como Vamos” public safety perception survey published in 2025, 80.2% of respondents identified insecurity as the main problem, up from 70.9% in 2023.

First off, political turmoil and a surge in violent crime led to the resignation of the entire cabinet in May 2025. 

But generally, the influence of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and other illegal armed groups continues to drive violence.

Countries in South America That Rank High in Safety

At the calmer end, Argentina (1.768, rank 46) and Uruguay (1.784, rank 48) are the standouts.

Despite Argentina’s economic freefall and massive strikes, it hasn’t translated into persistent violence. 

Uruguay, often referred to as “the Switzerland of South America,” continues to prove its point. Together, they set the benchmark for peace in the region.

Guyana is an outlier at 2.149, rank 106. 

Its soaring oil wealth and simmering border tensions with Venezuela explain its weaker score, considering its size and population. Rising crime linked to sudden wealth is also part of the story.

ELI5

The Global Peace Index is an annual report that helps us understand which countries are safer to visit and live in than others. It does this by ranking them. A country at the bottom of the list is dangerous. The top ones are the safest. 

In 2025, Colombia ranks as the most dangerous country in South America on the GPI list, coming in at the bottom. 

Issues such as political unrest and high crime rates are used as yardsticks in creating the list. 

Source:

2025 Global Peace Index | Lima Como Vamos” survey | Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) |  Buenos Aires Herald | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) |