Father Marcelo Pérez, a Catholic priest and dedicated activist for Indigenous peoples and farm laborers in southern Mexico, was tragically killed on Sunday. The assassination took place in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, where two gunmen shot Pérez as he sat in his van shortly after completing a Mass service.
Pérez, a member of the Tzotzil Indigenous community, had served his people for two decades. He was widely recognized as a crucial negotiator in the mountainous region of Chiapas, an area plagued by crime, violence, and land disputes. His tireless efforts to promote peace and justice included leading several marches against violence, actions that had previously resulted in death threats against him.
The priest’s murder has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. Chiapas Governor Rutilio Escandón expressed his condemnation of the “cowardly assassination” on social media platform X, pledging full cooperation with authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Pérez’s death highlights the ongoing dangers faced by activists and religious leaders working to protect vulnerable communities in Mexico. His role as both a spiritual leader and an advocate for social justice made him a respected figure in the region, but also put him at risk in an area known for its complex socio-political tensions.
