A retired Roman Catholic bishop in Mexico was apparently kidnapped briefly but was later located and taken to a hospital, according to the Mexican Council of Bishops. The bishop, Salvador Rangel, disappeared on Saturday and was said to be in ill health. The council called on his captors to release him and allow him to take his medications as an act of humanity. Rangel, famous for trying to mediate between drug cartels in the violent diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, had sought to convince gang leaders to reach agreements to stop the bloodshed.
Rangel’s abduction raised concerns about the dangerous environment that prelates have to navigate in cartel-dominated areas in Mexico. The bishops’ statement highlighted the fine line they must tread to avoid antagonizing drug cartels. It was unclear who might have abducted Rangel, with various violent drug gangs operating in the region. If any harm had come to Rangel, it would have been one of the most sensational crimes against a senior church official since 1993. The authorities in Guerrero state confirmed the abduction but offered no further details, expressing readiness to cooperate with counterparts in Morelos.
Bishops and priests in Mexico have been involved in efforts to mediate between warring drug cartels in hopes of reducing violence and bloodshed in these areas. The implication is that through dialogue, the cartels may come to agreements on territories and operations without resorting to extensive violence. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed support for such talks, indicating a willingness to allow religious leaders to play a role in pacifying the country. However, critics argue that the government’s non-confrontational approach to cartels has left citizens to broker their own peace deals, highlighting the failure of the government to provide safe conditions.
In a February incident, bishops attempted to negotiate a peace accord between two drug cartels in Guerrero, but the talks failed as the gangs were not willing to cease fighting over territories. The violence in the region has led to significant disruptions, including transport shutdowns and numerous killings. The church’s involvement in negotiating peace deals with cartels raises ethical concerns, as some feel it underscores the government’s inability to maintain law and order. While these efforts may provide temporary relief, the fragility of truces in the world of drug traffickers poses challenges to sustaining long-term peace agreements.
Rangel had, in the past, warned about the fleeting nature of truces between gangs, citing the ease with which agreements can be broken in the drug trade. The church, although reluctant to engage in negotiations with criminal organizations, has been compelled to mediate due to the failure of the government to address security issues adequately. Local residents have turned to priests and bishops to inquire about missing relatives and safety concerns, reflecting the absence of state protection. The church’s involvement in peace talks reflects a broader failure of governance in addressing the root causes of violence and crime in these regions, leaving citizens to seek alternatives in resolving conflicts with criminal groups.
