By: Elio Henríquez

San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas

Around 29 soldiers from the Base of Mixed Operations (BOM, its initials in Spanish) were trapped since 11 am this Friday in Cokó community, due to attacks from the Santa Martha paramilitary group in Chenalhó municipality, reported Adolfo López Gómez, the mayor of Aldama.

“They can’t move because the shots from firearms are going directly at them and they are fiercely attacking the trucks that travel from Xuxchén to San Pedro Cotzilnam,” he added, while clarifying that no injuries have been reported.

He explained that at 2:12 pm yesterday “paramilitary groups from the Santa Martha sector positioned at the telesecondaria, Tojtic and T’elemax are fiercely attacking the BOM that made tours in Tabak and Cokó communities.”

He explained that in addition to attacking the trucks that were traveling from Cuxchén to San Pedro Cotzilnam, they shot at a tractor that was headed to the community of Xuxchen, because of which “it’s stuck due to the bullets.”

López Gómez reported at 4 pm: “they’re shooting from Tijera Caridad, Templo and Chuchté, and are attacking the communities of Stzelejpotobtic and Juxton in Aldama.”

Just May 8, armed subjects from Santa Martha murdered Pedro Lunes Pérez, 24, a native of Cokó, Aldama, while the authorities of that municipality were holding a meeting at the City Hall.

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Originally Published in Spanish by La Jornada on Saturday, May 15, 2021

https://www.jornada.com.mx/2021/05/15/estados/026n1est

Re-Published with English interpretation by the Chiapas Support Committee