Following Mass at his parish in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Father Marcelo Pérez was assassinated on Sunday.
According to witnesses, two males riding motorcycles approached the church and fired the bullets.
Edgar N, a local drug dealer, was recognized by the authorities as the alleged murderer.
Father Marcelo had been an outspoken opponent of drug trafficking in Chiapas, where turf disputes between competing cartels have been linked to an increase in bloodshed in recent years.
The murder, according to the assembly of Mexican bishops, had silenced a “prophetic voice” that had devoted his life to promoting justice and peace.
The Chiapas public prosecutor’s office claims that security camera footage, witness statements, and further leads were used to identify his alleged killer, according to the news agency.
Two guys riding motorcycles had opened fire on Father Marcelo’s car, killing him.
Father Marcelo was heading to his parish after celebrating Mass in the Cuxtitali neighborhood of San Cristóbal de Las Casas when the event occurred early on Sunday.
After getting death threats in the rural parish where he had served before, he was moved to the city.
The priest had attempted to mediate a resolution to the violence resulting from conflicts between a vigilante group and a criminal gang.
