Mexican authorities have apprehended a man linked to the murder of a Roman Catholic priest and dedicated human rights advocate in Chiapas. Father Marcelo Pérez was tragically shot and killed on Sunday after conducting Mass at a church in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Eyewitnesses reported that the gunfire originated from two assailants who approached on a motorcycle. The suspect has been identified as Edgar N, a local drug dealer with connections to the region’s rising crime wave.
Father Marcelo was an ardent opponent of drug trafficking in Chiapas, a state that has experienced growing violence as rival cartels vie for control. The Mexican bishops’ conference expressed that this heinous act has silenced a pivotal figure in the pursuit of peace and justice.
The Chiapas public prosecutor’s office confirmed that authorities were able to identify the alleged shooter through security footage and witness accounts. The fatal incident occurred early Sunday as Father Marcelo returned to his parish in the Cuxtitali area following Mass.
Due to prior death threats at his former rural parish, he had relocated to San Cristóbal. Father Marcelo was actively involved in community discussions aimed at resolving violent conflicts between local gangs and vigilante groups.
In a foreboding interview last month, he described Chiapas as a “time bomb,” highlighting the alarming rate of disappearances, kidnappings, and murders linked to organized crime in the region. He led a protest march, portraying it as a “pilgrimage” for justice.
Hundreds gathered to pay their respects at his funeral in San Andrés Larráinzar, affirming his legacy as “priest of the poor.” The violence in Chiapas has surged in the past year due to conflicts between the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which also exploit vulnerable migrants traversing the region.
Communities continue to suffer the effects of this escalating violence, often forced to remain indoors for days as gunfire erupts nearby. The targeted killing of an influential human rights figure raises serious concerns about the safety and future of those advocating for peace in this troubled area.
