A violent incident unfolded in the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, located in Chiapas in southeastern Mexico, when a gun attack targeted a local leader of the native crafts community. Jerónimo Ruiz, a prominent figure within the Chiapas Traditional Market Tenants’ Association (Almetrach), was killed in broad daylight on a Monday as he left his home. The attack also involved arson, with two houses set ablaze in a section of the city by armed individuals.
The shooting occurred around noon in the La Esperanza district. Witnesses reported that Ruiz was approached by two motorcyclists who fired multiple rounds with high-powered firearms. The assailants then escaped, and reports indicate that those believed to be supporters of Ruiz and those accused of carrying out the attack were stationed in nearby communities including Santa Cruz Pinar, Peje de Oro, and El Cerrillo. Despite the violence, two houses were burned and no injuries were recorded as of mid-afternoon, according to authorities in the municipality.
In the wake of the incident, state and municipal authorities, along with members of the National Guard, faced restrictions on entering the area. Local residents told reporters that while security operations were underway to safeguard the public, sporadic gunfire continued from the vicinity. The disruption created fear and uncertainty among residents, prompting the temporary closure of schools, shops, restaurants, and tourist sites to reduce the risk of harm.
The city’s mayor, Mariano Díaz, stated that the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and local police have deployed aerial and ground resources to locate those responsible and to prevent further use of firearms in the air. A preliminary inquiry has begun to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Jerónimo Ruiz, who was reportedly linked to a faction identified as Motonetos. He was described as the cousin and right-hand man of Narciso Ruiz Sántiz, the head of Almetrach, which oversees the markets and supply centers in San Cristóbal.
The State Attorney General’s Office, through the Altos District Attorney’s Office, opened a case for qualified manslaughter against the individual or individuals involved in the incident in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Authorities indicated that initial investigations show gunmen fired into the air in the northeastern area of the city before security forces coordinated with the National Guard and Army to respond. Law enforcement agencies from the state and municipality collaborated with the military to implement security and deterrence measures aimed at restoring public peace and stabilizing the situation for residents and visitors alike.