Alarming Surge in Violence in Southern Mexico: Catholic Priest and Indigenous Activist Gunned Down
Alarming Surge in Violence in Southern Mexico: Catholic Priest and Indigenous Activist Gunned Down
A Prominent Indigenous Rights Activist and Catholic Priest Shot Dead in Southern Mexico
- Marcelo Perez, both a Tzotzil Indigenous Maya group member and a well-known negotiator in Chiapas conflicts, was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle after officiating Sunday church services.
- Facing constant death threats, Perez had led several marches against violence and spoken out against organized crime in the region.
- Violence in Chiapas has spiked in recent years, with 500 murders from January to August 2024, compared to 309 in the same period last year.
- Authorities have condemned the killing and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
Will the authorities be able to put an end to the escalating violence in southern Mexico?*