According to El Siglo de Torreon reporting on 13 February 2018, three churches in Saltillo have recently been victims of
extortion by criminal organizations. La Primera Plana reported on 21 February 2018 that two people In Michoacan had been
arrested for trying to extort money from a Catholic priest. In a separate development, unknown persons threw a petrol bomb setting fire to a Catholic church in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, as reported by Debate on 1 March 2018. No one was injured.
Rossana Ramirez, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "In Mexico, as in all areas where organized crime is present, extortion is one of the most common criminal activities. Drugs dealing and extortion have become main sources of income for criminal organizations. Churches are also targeted, with gangs taking advantage of the regular offerings and donations of churchgoers. Additionally, the use of violence against Christians is a way criminal groups attempt to influence the content of sermons and teaching and silence Christian values which oppose criminal behavior."
Rossana Ramirez adds: "Christians in Mexico cannot live out their faith in peace, since they may become victims of kidnapping, beating, torture or even murder. As a result, Mexico has become known as the most dangerous place in Latin America for working as a Roman Catholic priest, although all Christian denominations are at risk. Although there are occasions where the authorities do investigate matters of extortion, at other times government officials have
falsely accused church leaders of being part of the criminal networks, when they have come to the authorities seeking protection."
