Catholic Priest Bertoldo Pantaléon Estrada Murdered in Southern Mexico, Sparking Demands for Justice

Priest Found Deceased After Disappearance

Father Bertoldo Pantaléon Estrada, a 59-year-old Catholic priest serving the parish of San Cristóbal in Mezcala, Guerrero State, Mexico, was found murdered on October 6, 2025. He had been reported missing on October 4, 2025, while returning to his parish from the town of Atzcala. His body was discovered inside his vehicle on a highway, approximately 90 kilometers south of Atzcala and 65 kilometers south of Mezcala, specifically on a dirt road between Zumpango and Mezcala, near kilometer 199 of the Mexico-Acapulco federal highway. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the neck.

Authorities announced the arrest of a suspect, identified as Miguel Ángel N., on October 10, 2025. He is described as an acquaintance of the priest. Initial reports from authorities suggesting that Father Pantaléon Estrada's chauffeur was responsible were rejected by the diocese, which stated the priest did not employ a chauffeur. Miguel Ángel N. has reportedly provided contradictory statements regarding his last contact with the priest, and it remains unclear if he acted alone.

Escalating Violence Against Clergy in Cartel-Affected Region

The murder of Father Pantaléon Estrada highlights the severe risks faced by religious leaders in Mexico, particularly in regions like Guerrero State, which are heavily impacted by drug cartel activity. The area where Father Pantaléon Estrada served is known for the presence of multiple organized criminal groups, including Los Ardillos and Los Tacos, which are engaged in violent conflict.

Mexico is considered one of the deadliest countries globally for priests. The Catholic Media Center reported that 80 priests have been murdered in the country over the past three decades. During the six-year term of former President López Obrador, which concluded on September 30, 2024, ten Catholic priests and one seminarian were killed. The Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, where Father Pantaléon Estrada served, has a tragic history of violence, including an ambush in 2018 that resulted in the deaths of two priests in Mezcala.

Calls for Transparent Investigation and Justice

Following the discovery of Father Pantaléon Estrada's body, Christian leaders and advocacy groups, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), have issued strong demands for a full and transparent investigation. Anna Lee Stangl, CSW's Director of Advocacy, stated, 'The violent killing of Father Bertoldo Pantaléon Estrada is yet another in a chain of murders of church leaders in Guerrero and across the country over the past two decades, making Mexico one of the deadliest countries in the world for priests and other religious leaders.'

The Mexican Bishops' Conference expressed profound sadness and called upon state and federal authorities to conduct a 'prompt, thorough, and transparent investigation that will clarify this crime and ensure just punishment for those responsible.' In a demonstration of grief and a plea for accountability, approximately 400 Catholic church leaders and members participated in a 'caravan of peace and justice' on October 11 in Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Despite the arrest of a suspect, local leaders have voiced a lack of confidence in the ongoing police investigation.