Mexican Catholic Priest Killed in Targeted Attack
A Catholic priest was murdered in Mexico on Sunday in the southern state of Chiapas shortly after conducting a mass, according to his religious order and authorities. This incident marks the latest fatality in a recent surge of violence in the region.
Marcelo Perez, a member of the Tzotzil Indigenous Maya group native to the region, was leaving the Cuxtitali neighbourhood in San Cristobal de las Casas, one of the largest cities in the state, when he was killed while returning to his home church nearby, according to a statement from the Jesuits in Mexico.
According to state prosecutors, two individuals on a motorcycle approached his white Ford and opened fire.
In recent weeks, Mexico has experienced a surge in murders, including the beheading of the mayor of Guerrero’s state capital and an intra-cartel conflict in Sinaloa that has resulted in hundreds of deaths or disappearances. This has led to growing demands for newly inaugurated President Claudia Sheinbaum to take immediate action to combat crime.
Earlier this month, Sheinbaum introduced a four-pronged strategy aimed at addressing the economic and social factors contributing to crime, as well as enhancing coordination among crime-fighting institutions.
The Jesuits remarked, “Father Marcelo has been a symbol of resistance, standing with the communities of Chiapas for decades, defending the dignity and rights of the people while striving for genuine peace.”
His death occurs amid a rise in violence in Chiapas in recent years. From January to August, the state recorded approximately 500 murders, a significant increase from 309 during the same period last year, according to official statistics.
Perez’s community reported that he had been vocal in his opposition to organised crime in the region.
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The UN human rights office in Mexico stated, “Several national and international organisations had publicly warned about the growing number of threats, attacks, and acts of criminalisation against Perez, which have intensified in recent years due to his tireless work in favour of justice and the rights of indigenous people.”.
The Jesuits also added, “This region doesn’t just suffer from murders but also forced recruitment (into criminal groups), kidnappings, threats, and ransacking of its natural resources.”
Criminal organisations have also increased their involvement in trafficking migrants through the state, which shares a border with Guatemala.
Earlier this month, soldiers opened fire on a convoy they believed to be associated with a criminal group. The truck was transporting a group of migrants, resulting in six fatalities.
Content Credit| Igbakuma Rita Doom
Picture Credit | https://apnews.com/article/catholic-priest-mexico-killing-455bc3fb6fe5005b7e47d4758e4c63cd
