UMVA has learned that Mexico's security crisis has taken a dark and disturbing turn in the state of Morelos, where organized crime groups are now extorting poor families simply for living in their own homes.
Bishop Ramón Castro Castro, president of the Mexican Bishops' Conference, made the shocking revelation during the XII Walk for Peace in Cuernavaca, where thousands of citizens marched in white to demand security and an end to the violence. The bishop's words painted a grim picture of a community under siege, where crime groups have imposed "protection payments" on residents of Huautla, one of the poorest areas in Morelos.
The situation is dire, with Castro describing a level of cruelty that is "beyond comprehension." He explained that these groups no longer just target businesses, but now charge people for simply existing, for having a house. The bishop's statement sent a chill through the crowd, highlighting the brutal reality faced by residents in Morelos.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the violence and extortion have become so severe that the parish priest of San Francisco de Asís Church in Huautla was forced to flee the community after receiving direct death threats from cartel-linked groups. This is just one example of the many lives affected by the escalating violence in Morelos.
The bishop's remarks are a stark reminder of the longstanding accusations from residents, who claim that organized crime has spread throughout Morelos while authorities struggle to regain control. Castro warned that the violence can no longer be downplayed or hidden behind official rhetoric, and that the state continues to suffer from high levels of insecurity, homicide, extortion, and political violence.
In a passionate call to action, Castro insisted that "lying about reality is also a form of violence," a clear reference to the perceived attempts by the government to minimize the deteriorating security situation. His words resonated with the crowd, who are demanding action to address the crisis and bring peace back to their communities.
