The murder of Tsotsil priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, has generated great outrage in Mexico. Pérez, recognized for his work in promoting reconciliation and peace in Chiapas, was shot after officiating a mass in the Cuxtitali neighborhood. This tragic event highlights the serious violence affecting the region and demands a prompt and forceful response from the authorities.
The Jesuits have strongly condemned the violence in Chiapas, pointing not only to the murders but also to forced recruitment, kidnappings, threats, and the exploitation of natural resources in the area. They call for addressing the demands of the Pantelhó community and respecting the will of the authorities legitimately elected by the population as a necessary step to achieving peace in the region.
Initial investigations point to two men on a motorcycle as the perpetrators of the crime, who have yet to be located. Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, assured that an investigation is underway and her government is in communication with local and ecclesiastical authorities.
The Mexican Episcopal Conference expressed its condemnation and sorrow over this brutal murder, highlighting the loss of a dedicated pastor and a prophetic voice in the search for peace and justice in Chiapas. The CEM urges a transparent and effective investigation to clarify the crime, as well as to implement measures that guarantee the safety of priests and pastoral agents in high-risk areas.
The Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas, where Marcelo Pérez carried out his work, categorically condemned the crime and emphasized the priest's role as a promoter of dialogue and pacification in Chiapas. Pérez had been threatened multiple times by power groups in the region. The Diocese demands justice and an end to violence in Chiapas.
Furthermore, the Company of Jesus in Mexico expressed its condemnation of the murder of Marcelo Pérez, highlighting its commitment to justice and solidarity in the defense of the rights of the peoples. The Company urges that this crime not be considered an isolated case, reminding that organized crime wreaks havoc in various regions of the country, including Chiapas.
