Guatemala: As reported by Radio Milagro on 22 June 2019, the pastor of the United Pentecostal Church in Morales was
assassinated by two men who knocked at his door and asked him to step outside.
Mexico: El Sol de Cƒ³rdoba reported on 18 June 2019 that the pastor of an Evangelical church in Cƒ³rdoba, Veracruz State, was
abducted from his car by an armed group. The church leadership, which did not involve the police in order to maintain the safety of the pastor, reported a few days later that the pastor had been released and had left the area.
Rossana Ramirez, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "Guatemala is currently in the midst of
presidential elections (New York Times, 18 June 2019) and it is hoped that a new government will combat the high levels of corruption, poverty and - in particular - violence caused by organized criminal groups. Similar expectations were aired when Manuel Andrƒ©s Lƒ³pez Obrador was sworn in as president of Mexico in December 2018. However, within just weeks the levels of violence had again soared to
record levels (VOA, 21 April 2019).
Rossana Ramirez continues: "In both Guatemala and Mexico, state security strategies are
failing (New York Times, 12 May 2019) to recognize and respond effectively to the insecurity affecting Christians. In the case of the abducted pastor, the intention not to involve security forces so as not to worsen the situation for the victim is a sign not only of state ineffectiveness, but also of the fear of reprisals due to corruption in the ranks of the local authorities. Christians are being forced to cope with such incidents of violence on their own. They are having to carry out their Christian activities even when they know they are potential targets and they are forced to expose themselves to the risk of dealing directly with criminal groups."
