“El Canelo” sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of priest Marcelo Pérez in Chiapas

Almost a year after the murder of Marcelo Pérez in Chiapas, the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) announced that Edgar “N” was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the crime of aggravated homicide against the priest during a hearing held this Wednesday at the Federal Criminal Justice Center.

After presenting various evidence, the ministerial authorities demonstrated that the suspect identified as “El Canelo” is part of the criminal group known as “Los Herrera,” accused of violating and subjugating Chiapas communities through extortion, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. This organization is fighting for control of Pantelhó with its rivals, “El Machete.”

The priest’s murder occurred in October 2024, when Marcelo Pérez was leaving the Guadalupe Church in the Cuxtitali neighborhood to continue religious services in other locations. The victim was intercepted by a man who used a firearm to kill him.

Local authorities have emphasized that the perpetrator of the murder acted with premeditation, malice aforethought, and advantage, and after conducting an investigation, he was arrested two days after murdering the Catholic priest. The prosecutor’s office stated that the investigation is continuing to determine the responsibilities of other people involved, in addition to executing arrest warrants against others involved.