Priest Marcelo Pérez Killed in Chiapas Violence

Father Marcelo Pérez, a Jesuit priest and advocate for Indigenous rights in Chiapas, Mexico, was shot dead shortly after celebrating Mass on Sunday. The attack, carried out by two gunmen on a motorcycle in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, has sparked outrage due to his long-standing efforts to combat violence and defend the rights of the Tzotzil Indigenous community. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is investigating the murder, emphasizing that it will not go unpunished, amidst a surge of violence in the region, which has seen a significant increase in murders this year. The Jesuit Order condemned the killing, highlighting that Pérez symbolized resistance against organized crime and worked tirelessly for justice. His death is part of a troubling trend of escalating violence in Chiapas, where community leaders face increasing threats. The U.N. human rights office noted the growing criminalization against Pérez due to his activism for Indigenous peoples’ rights.