A new wave of paramilitary violence is reported from Mexico's conflicted southern state of Chiapas. Within the last eight weeks, more than 20 Chol Maya families have been displaced from the community of Andres Quintana Roo, in Sabanilla municipality, by threats and attacks from the notorious paramilitary group Paz y Justicia, according to the Chiapas-based Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Human Rights Center (Frayba).

The exodus began on June 8, when a family of 10 fled the community after their house was shot up by members of Paz y Justicia. The following day, 21 families (totalling 122 people) also fled to the mountains after they were threatened with death. Faced with torrential rains and hunger, they were forced to return to the community six days later. Then, on July 3, five of those families again abandoned the village, according to Frayba. Fourteen more families have fled in the subsequent weeks. Frayba said they continue to face harsh conditions at rudimentary camps in the mountains, and protested that the state authorities have taken no measures to assure their security. (APRO, Aug. 11, via Chiapas95)

See our last post on Chiapas.