Catholic bishops from Mexico and Guatemala have issued a strong message denouncing the dire situation in their border communities, which they describe as “battlefields” due to escalating violence. The bishops gathered in Panama from August 19 to 23 for the 10th Meeting of Bishops and Migration Pastoral Officers of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The event, themed “Walking with the Migrant and the Refugee,” served as a platform for the bishops to address the alarming crisis unfolding in southern Mexico and northern Guatemala.
In a message titled “Come and See,” the bishops drew attention to the serious violence plaguing border communities, particularly in the municipalities of Chicomuselo, Comalapa, Amatenango, Jaltenango, Bejucal de Ocampo, Siltepec, and Motozintla. These regions have become hotbeds of conflict as organized crime groups fight for control of territory, turning peaceful communities into war zones. The bishops highlighted the unimaginable terror faced by residents caught in the crossfire of these brutal confrontations.
The message, signed by prominent church leaders including Bishop Bernabé Sagastume of San Marcos, Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini of Huehuetenango, and Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez of San Cristóbal de las Casas, condemns the use of civilians as human shields. The bishops deplore the lack of response by government authorities to address the root causes of this violence, which they describe as the result of a “system of death” that has gone unchallenged.
Families longing for peace
As special elections in these violence-stricken regions approach on August 25 (following a failed attempt to hold them on June 2 due to the unrest) the bishops expressed grave concern. They warned that the intensifying violence is being fueled by external economic, political, and extractive interests that have resorted to armed conflict and extermination tactics to achieve their goals.
In their plea, the bishops called on the perpetrators of violence to cease their actions, reminding them of the inherent dignity of human life and the sanctity of bloodshed. They emphasized the deep yearning for peace of the families and communities affected, who, despite their suffering, remain steadfast in their faith and hope for divine intervention.
The bishops urged the faithful and the wider community to “come and see” the reality of the situation and to join in the call for justice, peace, and the protection of human dignity. Their message resonates as a call to action for all who value life and the inherent right of every human being to live in safety and peace.
