San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mexico, October 22, 2024 — Far Marcelo Pérez, a Catholic priest and vocal defender of Indigenous rights in Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas, was tragically killed on Sunday after celebrating Mass. Pérez, a Jesuit priest, had been a tireless advocate for nearly two decades, championing the rights of the Tzotzil indigenous community, of which he was a member. His murder is the latest grim episode in escalating violence that has plagued the region, fueled by organized crime.
According to the Chiapas state prosecutor’s office, Far Marcelo was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle as he returned to his parish in San Cristóbal de Las Casas after conducting Mass in the nearby Cuxtitali neighborhood. The shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday, and despite efforts of local authorities, attackers fled the scene.
Jesuit Order, to which Far Marcelo belonged, condemned killing, urging that it not be dismissed as an isolated incident but rather seen as part of a broader wave of violence sweeping through Chiapas. In a statement, Order highlighted Far Marcelo’s contributions, saying, “Far Marcelo has been a symbol of resistance and support in Chiapas, defending dignity and rights of people and advocating for authentic peace.”
A Voice for Indigenous Rights and Peace
Far Marcelo was widely regarded as a prophetic voice in Chiapas, where he worked tirelessly to mediate conflicts and seek peace amid violence that has engulfed the region. His advocacy extended beyond the Tzotzil community, as he regularly condemned violence and lawlessness created by the presence of criminal organizations.
Priest’s efforts had not come without risk. He had been transferred to San Cristóbal de Las Casas after receiving death threats in his former rural parish, where he had tried to broker peace between local communities and criminal gangs. In one of his final interviews last month, Far Marcelo described Chiapas as a “time bomb,” warning of a deepening crisis caused by the growing influence of organized crime. “We are many [people who have] disappeared, many who have been kidnapped, many who have been murdered because of the presence of organized crime here,” he said while leading a protest march, he described as a “pilgrimage.”
Growing Violence in Chiapas
Chiapas has witnessed a surge in violence over the past year, driven by territorial disputes between Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Both groups have been vying for control of the region, where they extort migrants traveling northward to the U.S. border, prey on local businesses, and impose ir dominance on local communities.
This spike in violence has left many communities in Chiapas in a state of terror. Residents have often been forced to shelter in their homes for days as gunfire echoes through the streets. Far Marcelo had been an outspoken critic of the conditions, and his murder is seen as a dangerous escalation of violence that has already taken a heavy toll on the region.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into Far Marcelo’s death, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowing that the crime will not go unpunished. “We will pursue justice for Far Marcelo, and his murder will not go without consequence,” she said.
Community in Mourning
Far Marcelo’s death has sent shockwaves through the community, where he was beloved for his relentless commitment to social justice and peace. His wake, held in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, was marked by emotional scenes as mourners paid tribute to the man who had worked so tirelessly for his welfare. Photos of the wake show a grieving community, with one man hunched over a priest’s coffin, his clerical garments laid out on top as a symbol of his service.
Mexican Bishops’ Conference mourned the loss of Far Marcelo, calling him one of the “prophetic voices” in the struggle for peace in Chiapas. “Justice has been silenced,” Conference said, lamenting the devastating impact of organized crime on the region.
A Dangerous Escalation
targeted assassination of Far Marcelo marks a new and alarming chapter in the violence plaguing Chiapas. Human rights advocates have long been targeted in Mexico, where organized crime wields significant power and influence, often unchecked by the state. The murder of a priest who worked so openly and courageously against this violence serves as a grim reminder of the peril faced by those who challenge se criminal networks.
For many, Far Marcelo was more than just a priest. He was a symbol of hope in a region suffering under the weight of violence and oppression. His loss leaves a deep void in the community and raises urgent questions about how violence in Chiapas can be stemmed.
As the investigation into his death continues, local and international observers are watching closely to see how the Mexican government responds to this latest atrocity in a country where priests, human rights activists, and journalists are often caught in the deadly crossfire of organized crime.
Far Marcelo Pérez’s legacy as an advocate for indigenous rights and peace will live on, but his tragic death casts a shadow over fragile hopes for peace in Chiapas.
