Manuel Sántiz Cruz, an indigenous Tseltal and president of the San Juan Evangelista Human Rights Committee, president of the team of promoters of the Parish and servant of the diocese of San Cristóbal, was arbitrarily detained and criminalised on 29 May.

On 1 June, family members and colleagues went to the Control Court, where two more people were arrested without arrest warrants: Agustín Pérez Velasco and Martín Pérez Domínguez, who testified on Manuel's behalf, have been charged with "aggravated homicide".

The San Juan Evangelista Human Rights Committee promotes actions in defence of the territory against the construction of the San Cristóbal de Las Casas - Palenque road section, which will connect the region to the Tren Maya megaproject. They also oppose the presence of the GN in the municipality, as well as the sale of alcohol and drugs.

Related cases: Agustín Pérez Domínguez, Juan Velasco Aguilar, Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Centre (Frayba) and SweFOR