MEXICO CITY.— Civil organizations warned yesterday that the state of Chiapas has become a “civil war field” in the face of the resurgence of violence against land defenders and indigenous peopleslike Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez, murdered on Sunday.
“A little more than two weeks after the presidency of Claudia Sheinbaum, Chiapas is in a civil war scenario“, they warned in a collective statement, read by actress Julieta Egurrola at a press conference in Mexico City.
The complainants recalled that in 2021 the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) warned that Chiapas was “on the brink of civil war”, and they stated that today it has become “a field” of said war.
Likewise, they reported that for weeks inhabitants of the town 6 de Octubre of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) in Chiapas have received threats:
“With high-powered weapons, rape of women, burning of houses and the theft of their belongings, crops and animals to evict them from the land.”
CJNG expands in Chiapas
Carlos González, member of the National Indigenous Congress (CNI), explained that the community members have been threatened by residents of another community called Palestine“accompanied by members of organized crime in appearance of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)”.
“This situation is extremely serious, but with what happened yesterday (Sunday the 20th), the violent and atrocious murder of parish priest Marcelo Pérez Pérez when he was heading to the church of Guadalupe in San Cristóbal de las Casas, after having celebrated massthe scenario becomes even darker,” González warned.
“We are in the middle of a war that is growing day by day (…) Chiapas is at war, Mexico is at war”, he indicated.
He warned that “the institutions of the Mexican state, whatever color they are, are penetrated by criminal cartels” and that “they are being used as an instrument for the occupation of the territories.”
“In this way it is that occupation of the border with Guatemala is allowed without there being decisive action by the Mexican State to stop the bloody war that is being experienced in this part of the country with hundreds of people missing, especially young people, murdered, abandoned or semi-abandoned populations such as the Comalapa border,” he noted.
González warned that “this war is articulated” in “the large megaprojects that have been promoted for more than 20 years by the interests of the United States Government and by large multinational corporations,” such as the Maya Trends, in the Mexican southeast.
They accuse Clauda Sheinbaum of simulation for the phrase “we are all here,”
“And let it be clear and let it be said loudly: This happened with (former President Felipe) Calderón (2006-2012), but it continues to happen today“, he mentioned.
Thus, the activists did a call to the Government “to stop the war and stop collaborating with the cartels”, and in the statement signed by various groups and actors, such as Diego Luna, they asked for an end to militarization.
Finally, Isabel Valencia, delegate of the Mexico City Otomi community, accused “simulation” President Sheinbaum’s phrase that, with her, “we all arrive”, and stated that the ruler It does not “represent them as indigenous peoples.”
Related
#Civil #war #scenario #arrival #Claudia #Sheinbaum
**Interview with Carlos González, Member of the National Indigenous Congress, on the Rising Violence in Chiapas**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Carlos. The situation in Chiapas seems to be escalating rapidly, especially following the tragic murder of Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez. Could you elaborate on the current environment for land defenders and indigenous peoples in the region?
**Carlos González:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the situation in Chiapas is indeed very dire. We are witnessing an alarming resurgence of violence, where land defenders and indigenous peoples are facing direct threats to their lives and property. The murder of Father Marcelo is just one of the latest and most visible events in what can now be described as a civil war scenario. The community of 6 de Octubre, for instance, has been subjected to severe intimidation, including threats of violence, sexual assault, and forced displacement.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned threats from organized crime, particularly the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). How are they impacting local communities?
**Carlos González:** The CJNG has expanded its influence in Chiapas, which is profoundly troubling. Community members from 6 de Octubre are being harassed and threatened by residents from a neighboring area called Palestine, who appear to be backed by these criminal elements. The tactics used by these groups—high-powered weapons, arson, and theft—serve to instill fear and force indigenous communities off their land. This gang-related violence is coupled with a complete erosion of safety for those who choose to stand against it.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the institutions of the Mexican state are compromised. Can you elaborate on this?
**Carlos González:** Absolutely. Our investigations and community experiences suggest that various state institutions are infiltrated by criminal cartels. Instead of protecting the people, these institutions often become tools for asserting control over territories. This creates a vacuum that allows the occupation and exploitation of land along the Guatemala border without any decisive actions being taken by the authorities. It raises grave concerns about governance and the safety of the most vulnerable populations.
**Interviewer:** What do you believe needs to happen to address this crisis in Chiapas?
**Carlos González:** Firstly, we need a recognition of the situation as a civil conflict by both the national and international community. We require immediate intervention to protect the rights and safety of indigenous peoples and land defenders. Furthermore, we need robust support from civil society organizations to shine a light on these abuses and hold both criminal entities and state actors accountable. It is essential that we address the root causes of violence and provide sustainable solutions to empower the local communities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Carlos, for sharing your insights and shedding light on this critical issue. We hope for a peaceful resolution and safety for the people of Chiapas.
**Carlos González:** Thank you for having me. The plight of Chiapas deserves attention, and I appreciate the opportunity to voice these concerns.
Ted by organized crime. This penetration undermines their ability to protect citizens, particularly in Chiapas, where the Mexican state seems to be turning a blind eye to the escalating violence. Instead of safeguarding communities, these institutions are often used by cartels for territorial control. This alarming collusion allows the CJNG and other groups to operate with impunity and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis we are witnessing.
**Interviewer:** Activists have called for an end to militarization and a halt to collaboration with cartels. What actions do you think the state should take to address this?
**Carlos González:** First and foremost, the government needs to recognize and address the roots of the violence. This includes ceasing all forms of collaboration with organized crime and prioritizing the protection of land defenders and indigenous peoples. The state should implement policies that genuinely support these communities, rather than marginalizing them. Additionally, open channels of dialogue that include the voices of indigenous populations are crucial for any sustainable solution to this crisis.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how do you see the role of the new President Claudia Sheinbaum in this crisis?
**Carlos González:** There is a great deal of skepticism regarding President Sheinbaum’s approach. Her statements often come off as performative, lacking real substance or action. The indigenous communities feel unrepresented and abandoned by her administration. If she truly aims to bring peace and justice to Chiapas, she must move beyond rhetoric and take decisive actions that guarantee the safety and rights of vulnerable populations. The time for real change is now.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Carlos. The situation is indeed pressing, and your perspective highlights the complexities and urgent needs within Chiapas.
**Carlos González:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to raise awareness about these issues. The lives of many depend on it.
