Criminal gangs throughout Latin America are a constant threat to the security of Christian places of worship. Here are some of the most recent cases:
- Argentina: On 28 May 2020, FM Alba reported that there has been a series of robberies and vandalism in the San Ramƒ³n Nonato chapel, the La Loma community chapel and the Santa Cruz parish church. The buildings suffered damage to doors and the theft of church property.
- El Salvador: On 4 March 2020, La Prensa reported that criminals broke into a church in San Pedro Perulapƒ¡n, stole valuables and caused damage inside the church.
- Mexico: On 20 April 2020, Aciprensa reported that criminals entered the San Pablo parish through a window, damaged historic church property and littered the interior with feces. On 24 April 2020, La Prensa reported that the Church of Saint John Baptist de La Salle had been broken into and property stolen. On 26 April 2020, Milenio reported that a group of criminals had broken into and robbed the parish church of Our Lady of Agualeguas. On 8 May 2020, Aciprensa reported that in San Luis de Potosƒ, criminals smashed the door of San Martƒn de Porres Church and then stole and scattered property.
- Venezuela: On 16 May 2020, El Pitazo reported that thieves removed and stole the entrance fencing of the historic San Miguel Arcƒ¡ngel Church of Rƒo Caribe in the State of Sucre.
Rossana Ramirez, persecution analyst at World Watch Research (WWR), comments: "Criminals in many Latin American countries target Christian property, aware that churches contain many valuable items and that security protocols are weak, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis.‚ Further, in the most neglected areas, where Christian leaders carry out activities such as church distribution of humanitarian aid, this can only be done where
authorization is given by local criminal groups (Factum, 26 May 2020). The high degree of impunity enjoyed by these groups is particularly worrying."
