One month after the murder of father Marcelo Pérez in Chiapasthe audio was broadcast on social networks in which an alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) threatened the priest.
The account of TikTok @chemy.junior.lope hung up the November 6 an audio clip, almost 9 minutes long, in which an alleged plaza boss of the CJNG in Chiapas he asks Pérez Pérez to “align” with his organization in exchange for “protection” for him and his family or else he would have to face the consequences.
The alleged criminal threatens the prelate of indigenous origin to offer a “good gesture,” because whoever calls him has no reason to:
“I cannot ruin the beautiful future of you or anyone of yours, but here in advance if you think that this call is a game or a joke, I swear by God himself, that you are going to be the news on the day of tomorrow, is it clear, father?”
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Throughout the conversation, Pérez Pérez barely utters a word, the one who speaks at length is the alleged lieutenant of the “4 letters” cartel, who emphasizes that he will be in the region for 6 years.
Although the threat against the priest of Tsotsil origin was made known in April 2020its content was not known until now.
At that time, the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas issued a statement in which it indicated that Pérez, his family and the parishioners of Saint Anthony of Padua they had been threatened.
The audio broadcast on networks shows that, after hearing the threats, Father Pérez cuts off the communication by saying:
@chemy.junior.lope♬ sonido original – Chemy Junior Lopez
“I am not saying yes or me, I am at peace with God, I seek peace for the people. Have a happy day. God bless him.”
The dissemination of the alleged threat occurred 8 days before the Mexican Episcopate indicated that the person detained for the murder of Father Marcelo Pérez in Chiapas “does not seem to match” his description.
The above, in the voice of his vice president, Monsignor Jaime Calderonwho said:
“In the opinion of the head of the diocese, Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez“It seems that the signs of who executed Father Pérez do not coincide with who they present.”
Despite this, the bishop stressed that this is not a complaint, since whoever will have to corroborate it with the authorities.
The last time the authorities reported on the homicide of Marcelo Pérez Pérez was on October 23when the alleged perpetrator of the events was linked to proceedings.
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That day it was indicated that the State Attorney General’s Office of Chiapas reported that it obtained the link to a process against the person involved, due to his probable responsibility as the material author of the qualified homicide of the priest Marcelo.
The agency reported that the Control Judge determined to link the aforementioned accused to the process, to whom he imposed preventive detention, and 3 months were given for the complementary investigation.
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“My gratitude to the Justice Attorney authorities, who have informed me that the material author of the death of Father Marcelo has been arrested.”
The same day but in the morning, the president Claudia Sheinbaum indicated that the investigation of the case would be attracted by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), 24 hours earlier, the president indicated in her Mañanera that:
“We cannot speculate, we need the investigations to be carried out (…) we are going to see if the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic attracts the investigation.”
Regarding the murder of its member, the Episcopate condemned the events, in addition to confirming that the prelate had precautionary measures.
This, in the editorial “ Desde la fe ” of October 27, in which he wrote:
“’Violence can no longer be tolerated,’ were some of the last and brave denunciations of the priest Marcelo Pérez, which may not have been necessary if, beyond the precautionary measures he had, the authorities had listened to him and acted with determination” .
He October 20the day Father Pérez was murdered after celebrating a mass in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, the ONU-DH indicated that the prelate of origen tzotzil had, since 2024, with precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR):
“Due to the constant risk that his life and personal integrity faced due to his work in defense of human rights in Simojovel and other places in Chiapas.”
In addition, organizations, both national and foreign, had publicly warned about the growing number of threats, attacks and acts of criminalization against them, “which have intensified in recent years due to their tireless work in favor of justice and human rights.” of indigenous peoples”, and that:
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“The murder of Father Marcelo is absolutely unacceptable. Their work was widely recognized by the indigenous peoples in Chiapas, and also internationally. Despite having protection measures and constant complaints about the attacks he faced, these were insufficient to prevent his murder.”
Since 2021, Father Marcelo has led marches and pilgrimages for peace, denouncing the increase in violence in various areas of Chiapas.
He spoke out on several occasions against organized crime and demanded justice for the murder of Simón Pedro, also a human rights defender.
My gratitude to the Justice Attorney authorities, who have informed me that the material author of the death of Father Marcelo has been arrested.
— Rutilio Escandon (@RutilioEscandon) October 22, 2024
In addition, he accompanied displaced Tzotzil and Tzeltal communities before state and federal authorities, and acted as a mediator in inter- and intra-community conflicts.
Related
What are the main challenges faced by human rights defenders in regions heavily influenced by organized crime?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Human Rights Expert
Editor: Welcome, everyone. Today, we have a very special guest, Dr. Sofia Martinez, a renowned expert in human rights and the impact of organized crime in Mexico. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Martinez.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The recent developments surrounding Father Marcelo Pérez in Chiapas are alarming. Could you give us a brief overview of the situation he faced prior to his tragic murder?
Dr. Martinez: Certainly. Father Marcelo Pérez was well-known in his community as a defender of human rights, particularly for the indigenous populations in Chiapas. He had received threats for his advocacy work, highlighting the dangerous intersection of organized crime and social justice efforts. Just days prior to his murder, an audio recording surfaced where a supposed leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel threatened him, demanding that he align with their organization in exchange for “protection.”
Editor: That audio clip was quite chilling. The alleged leader made very clear threats, stating, “I swear by God himself, that you are going to be the news on the day of tomorrow.” What does this type of threat signify in the context of organized crime?
Dr. Martinez: It reflects the pervasive intimidation tactics used by cartels to silence dissent. Such threats demonstrate that they see community leaders like Father Pérez as obstacles to their operations. When they say, “you are going to be the news,” it’s a reminder of their power and control over life and death within these communities. This is a significant issue not just for Mexico but for global human rights advocacy.
Editor: The audio was only released recently, despite the threats being made clear as early as April 2020. What does this delay in public disclosure indicate about both the church and state response to these threats?
Dr. Martinez: It suggests a worrying level of neglect about the safety of community leaders. Both the church and government entities must see the seriousness of these threats and act proactively. Delays can be attributed to fear of reprisals, but they also signal a larger systemic failure to protect individuals who are vocal against violence and injustice.
Editor: Following the murder, there seems to be some confusion surrounding the arrest of a suspect, with church officials stating that the individual apprehended does not seem to match the description of the actual perpetrator. How does this affect public trust in law enforcement?
Dr. Martinez: When community leaders and the ecclesiastic authorities express doubt about an arrest, it undermines the credibility of law enforcement. It raises questions about the effectiveness of investigations into organized crime and contributes to a climate of mistrust. If people feel that justice isn’t being served correctly, it may discourage them from speaking out or reporting crimes.
Editor: Given Father Pérez had precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, what can be said about the effectiveness of those protections?
Dr. Martinez: While these measures are intended to offer some degree of safety, they often fall short in the face of such violent threats. What’s concerning is that even with these protections in place, Father Pérez was ultimately murdered. This highlights the critical need for stronger, more immediate responses to protect human rights defenders in risky environments.
Editor: As a human rights expert, how do you see the relationship between organized crime and the Catholic Church’s role in advocating for social justice evolving in the current climate?
Dr. Martinez: The Catholic Church has historically been a bastion for humane values and social justice. However, with the rising threat of organized crime, its role is becoming more precarious. The Church needs to strengthen its advocacy, potentially ally with other civil organizations, and ensure its leaders are adequately protected. It’s crucial for the Church to stand firm against these threats to avoid becoming further marginalized in the fight for human rights.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your insightful analysis of this tragic situation. It’s vital to continue these conversations around human rights and the ongoing threats faced by those speaking out against violence. We appreciate your expertise.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for shedding light on these important issues. It is crucial that we remain vigilant and supportive of those brave enough to stand for justice.
Editor: To our audience, thank you for tuning in. Stay informed and engaged as we continue to cover these pressing matters.