Violence Overshadows Mexico’s Election, Catholic Community Stunned by Priest Killings

By LG Staff

By LG Staff

May 29, 2024

The northern Mexican community of Cerocahui was rocked by tragedy in mid-2022 when gang leader José Portillo Gil, known as “El Chueco,” stormed into a church, leaving Jesuit priests Javier Campos and Joaquín Mora dead in a pool of blood. The surviving priest, Rev. Jesús Reyes, vividly recalls the terror of that moment and the ongoing grief in the community.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s policy of engaging with cartels rather than confronting them has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Catholic leaders, as violence continues to ravage regions like Guerrero and Michoacan.

The incident in Cerocahui is a stark reminder of the relentless grip of organized crime on local communities, as exemplified by El Chueco’s control over the beer market and his brazen acts of violence.

Despite efforts by the government, such as the establishment of a permanent National Guard base in Cerocahui, locals still live in fear, leading to displacement and a sense of hopelessness.

In the face of such violence, priests like Javier Campos, known affectionately as “Father Gallo,” continue to be revered figures, offering solace and support to indigenous communities like the Raramuri.

The recent deaths of priests Campos and Mora have left a profound void in the community, but their memory lives on in the hearts of those they touched.

Amidst the chaos, there have been attempts at peace negotiations, including meetings between bishops and cartel leaders, highlighting the failure of government policies to ensure the safety and security of ordinary citizens.

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