In a recent interview, we delved into the tragic events surrounding Father Marcelo Pérez, a Roman Catholic priest and dedicated human rights advocate who was murdered in Chiapas, Mexico.
Father Marcelo was killed shortly after celebrating Mass in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Eyewitnesses reported that the shooting came from two men on a motorcycle who approached the church. Authorities have named the suspect, Edgar N, who is believed to be a local drug dealer.
For years, Father Marcelo had been a vocal opponent of drug trafficking in Chiapas, a region that has been increasingly plagued by violence stemming from turf wars between rival cartels. The Mexican bishops’ conference expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it the silencing of a “prophetic voice” that worked fervently for peace and justice.
According to the Chiapas public prosecutor’s office, security camera footage, witness statements, and other investigative leads were crucial in identifying Father Marcelo’s suspected killer. The incident occurred as he was returning to his parish after Mass in the Cuxtitali neighborhood.
He had recently been transferred to this city after receiving death threats at his previous rural parish. Father Marcelo had been actively working to mediate conflicts between criminal gangs and vigilante groups, warning just a month prior that Chiapas was a “time bomb” due to rampant organized crime.
“There are many who have disappeared, many who have been kidnapped, many who have been murdered because of the presence of organized crime here,” he stated, leading a protest he referred to as a “pilgrimage.”
His funeral drew hundreds of mourners in his hometown of San Andrés Larráinzar, with attendees chanting, “Long live Father Marcelo, priest of the poor.”
Over the past year, Chiapas has seen escalating violence, primarily due to conflicts between the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. These criminal groups often exploit vulnerable migrants traversing through the region on their way to the U.S. border.
The local communities have suffered immensely from this violence, often forced to remain confined in their homes for days while fighting erupts outside. However, the targeted killing of a prominent human rights advocate is perceived as a troubling escalation that threatens the safety and integrity of the community.
