Hundreds of people gathered Monday to remember Catholic priest Marcelo Pérez, an activist for indigenous peoples and farm workers who was murdered in Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas.
Many say the killing was a foretold tragedy in a state where thousands of people have been forced from their homes by drug cartels.
Mourners gathered Sunday in San Andres Larraizal, near the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, where Mr. Perez was killed.
Perez is a leading peace activist in the violence-torn state and is from San Andres Larraizar. Monday’s Mass in his honor was held in Spanish and Tzotzil, the indigenous language he speaks.
Despite receiving frequent threats, Perez, 50, continued to work as a peace activist. Human rights activists said Mr. Perez did not receive the necessary government protection.
The Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Human Rights Center said, “For years, we have insisted that the Mexican government should address the threats and aggression against him, but the Mexican government has not threatened his life, safety, or well-being. “We never took any measures to ensure that.”
State prosecutors said Perez was shot and killed by two gunmen as he was riding in a van shortly after Mass.
“Father Marcelo was leaving the parish after celebrating Mass and heading to Guadalupe Church when two people on a motorcycle opened fire,” the office said in a statement.
Catholic Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez (center) participates in a mass in memory of slain Catholic priest and activist Marcelo Pérez on Monday, October 21, 2024, in the main square of San Andres Larraizal, Chiapas, Mexico. (left) and Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi. Isabel Mateos/Associated Press
There was no immediate information about the perpetrator, but President Claudia Sheinbaum said only that “an investigation is underway.” Pastor Perez’s peace and mediation efforts may have angered one of the two drug cartels currently fighting for control of Chiapas state.
The state is a lucrative route for drug and migrant smuggling.
“Father Marcelo Pérez was the subject of constant threats and attacks by organized crime groups,” the rights center said, adding that his killing “occurs in the context of increasing violence against the general public in all regions.” ” he added. Chiapas. ”
“Reflects the whole country”
For at least the past two years, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have been engaged in a bloody turf war that has killed entire families and forced villagers to take sides in the conflict. Hundreds of Chiapas residents had to flee to neighboring Guatemala for safety.
“They should look for smart ways to disarm these groups,” said Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, the region’s former bishop. “We shouldn’t be waiting for people to file a complaint. People are going to file a complaint because their lives are at risk.”
Perez’s killing is another embarrassment for the government as drug violence continues in the northern state of Sinaloa, and the killing of six migrants by the military earlier this month is another embarrassment for the government.
Mr. Sheinbaum took office on October 1, pledging to follow the policy of his predecessor and leader, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, of not confronting drug cartels. This policy failed to significantly reduce violence.
“This is a reflection of the whole country,” Cardinal Arizmendi said after Perez’s mass. “Please don’t tell me Mexico is okay. Please,” he continued. “This strategy didn’t work.”
He served in the community for 20 years and was known as a negotiator in conflicts in the mountainous region of Chiapas, where crime, violence and land disputes are rife. Perez has led several marches against violence and has received several death threats for his violent actions.
The United Nations Human Rights Office said Perez was the seventh human rights defender to be killed in Mexico by 2024.
In 2022, two Jesuit priests were murdered inside a church in a remote mountain community in northern Mexico. In 2016, three priests were murdered in just one week in Mexico.