At a press conference, the organization explained that girls and boys are being used by corruption and organized crime in Chiapas. In January, the police arrested a teenager suspected of carrying drugs on the road connecting San Cristóbal de Las Casas with Teopisca. Also, in that same city, the Immediate Reaction Forces Pakal arrested young people accused of violently attacking authorities with stones, one of whom was 13 years old.
Melel Xojobal, a local organization, denounced the criminalization of young people, the lack of job opportunities, and the rising violence in Chiapas. In 2024, there were reports of 482 disappearances of minors, and in the first 45 days of this year, 37 more cases were recorded. The organization demanded training in human rights for officials and actions to protect girls, boys, and adolescents.
The current administration in Chiapas has implemented operations as part of its peace strategy, but an increase in violence against minors has been documented in the last three years in the region. The organization Melel Xojobal pointed out that it is urgent to protect the rights of these vulnerable populations and guarantee them adequate conditions for their development.
Additionally, it has been detected that dozens of children in San Cristóbal de Las Casas work helping their families sell handicrafts, thus contributing to the family income. The organization demanded recognition of child workers and the fight against racial discrimination in various areas.
In the mentioned police operations, individuals aged 13 to 17 related to illegal activities linked to organized crime were arrested. Some minors were found with drugs while others were accused of carrying weapons and bulletproof vests in Teopisca, adding to alarming figures of femicides and homicides in the region. The organization has documented arbitrary detentions and killings of minors in Chiapas.
