Cardinal Arizmendi: There are facts that confirm that organized crime rules in parts of Mexico

Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, Bishop Emeritus of San Cristóbal de las Casas, recognized the influence of organized crime in some areas of Mexico, partially supporting the recent statements of the president-elect of the United States Donald Trump about the situation of insecurity in the country.

“It is annoying that a foreigner claims that organized crime rules our country,” said Cardinal Arizmendi in an article shared with ACI Prensa. “Although our authorities maintain otherwise, there are facts that confirm that this is what is happening in some places and sectors,” he added.

This statement comes days after some controversial statements by Trump, who January 7 He assured that in Mexico “they are basically run by the cartels.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected these statements, insisting that “in Mexico, the people rule.”

Influence of Organized Crime

Arizmendi, created cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020 and in charge of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas between 2000 and 2017, alluded to several aspects that, according to him, reflect criminal influence.

In the area of ​​local politics, the cardinal pointed out that it is a “popular voice” that in the last elections the criminals “authorized who could compete. And once their candidates were elected, they demanded a million-dollar monthly quota from them, or to occupy strategic positions.” .

“Municipal presidents, local police and other minor authorities must submit to their orders. They are neither collaborators nor accomplices, but oppressed by those who govern the region,” he denounced.

Regarding the economy, Arizmendi said he has “first-hand data” that confirms that criminal groups “impose the price of almost everything, from tortillas and eggs, to construction materials. This makes everything more expensive, and there is no one to do it.” can prevent and control.

Meat traders “must buy the animals from whom these leaders order and at the price they impose,” he said, adding that something similar happens in the logging sector, in which members of organized crime “determine the trees that should be thrown down and they “They are the ones who market the wood, which passes freely through our roads.”

Regarding extortion, the cardinal explained that businessmen “must pay them a fee; otherwise, they expose themselves to all kinds of retaliation, such as the burning of their businesses and the murder of those who refuse.” This widespread practice creates an environment of fear and submission among local merchants and businessmen, according to the Cardinal.

Call to action

The cardinal urged the authorities, the Catholic Church and civil society to “attack the causes of this violence by offering study, work and social support.” However, he warned that for many criminals “what matters to them is getting as much money as they can.”

Arizmendi concluded by asking for prayer “so that it enlightens our authorities and they do something more effective for social peace.”

This situation occurs in the context of the arrival to the presidency of Claudia Sheinbaum on October 1, 2024, replacing Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose six-year term recorded 199,621 homicides, the highest level in the modern history of Mexico.

This rise in violence occurred within the framework of the controversial government security policy “hugs, not bullets” against organized crime. With the start of the Sheinbaum government, Cardinal Arizmendi said that “there appears to be a change in the federal strategy to combat these crimes.”