El Salvador/Mexico: Christian leaders at risk of threats and killings

El Salvador:

• 2 April 2021. Madre Tierra, Apopa: El Salvador reported that Pastor Ricardo Mejƒ­a of the Elim Christian Mission was shot dead by gang members while visiting members of his congregation.
• 13 March 2021, Arcatao Chalatenango: As reported on Radio YSUCA, the Jesuit priest Miguel Vƒ¡squez received death-threats after publicly denouncing irregularities in the elections held by the municipality.

Mexico:

• 30 March 2021, Celaya: Aleteia reported that a 63-year-old Catholic priest disappeared on 27 March and was later found dead. Signs of torture on the priest's body indicate that it was an execution, as often carried out by cartels in the area.

World Watch Research analyst Rossana Ramirez comments: "Both in El Salvador and in Mexico the levels of violence and insecurity are high (Insight Crime, 29 January 2021). Gangs, cartels, drug traffickers and other criminal groups all seek to control key people in order to dominate territories and guarantee that they can operate with impunity. Among these key people are often Christian leaders, especially those who actively influence local communities through drug-rehabilitation projects or who publicly oppose criminal activities and corruption. Where such leaders ignore warnings and do not give in to criminal demands, they are likely to be attacked, kidnapped or killed."