Over 150 Protestant Christians, who were forcibly displaced five months ago, have returned to their homes in Hidalgo State, Mexico, after a resolution was reached with the help of state and local officials, according to a report.
The agreement, facilitated by state and municipal authorities, involved the displaced Protestant community and local leaders from the villages of Rancho Nuevo and Coamila, located in the Huejutla de Reyes municipality.
This return marks the end of a prolonged conflict characterized by significant violations of religious freedom, involving over 70 children and infants among those displaced.
The conflict escalated on April 26 when predominantly Roman Catholic village leaders cut electricity, vandalized a Protestant church, and blocked access to the homes of the minority Protestant community.
During their displacement, the group faced harsh conditions, living first in a municipal building and later in a sports complex. They relied on local churches for food, and used river water for hygiene, leading to widespread illness and infections.
The newly elected municipal government took action to resolve the crisis, with key involvement from Hidalgo State Secretary Guillermo Olivares Reyna and Director of Religious Affairs Margarita Cabrera Román, who helped broker the agreement.
As part of the agreement, electricity and water were restored to the homes of the affected Protestants, who agreed to resume contributions to community funds—something they had stopped doing since 2015.
Additionally, the government agreed to drop a criminal investigation against those responsible for the displacement, allowing victims to assess their properties and access state-sponsored aid programs if necessary.
Pablo Vargas, National Director of Impulso18, welcomed the resolution, stating, “We are pleased to hear that an agreement has been reached, allowing more than 30 religious minority families to return to Coamila and Rancho Nuevo. We acknowledge the efforts of the state and municipal governments in securing a solution that upholds religious freedom for all.”
Anna Lee Stangl, Head of Advocacy at Christian Solidarity Worldwide, commended the agreement, saying, “This resolution, brokered by Hidalgo State and Huejutla Municipal governments, and agreed upon by the local authorities and the displaced Protestant community, is an example of what can be achieved in protecting religious freedom and upholding Mexican law when there is political will and a commitment of resources by the government.”
Religious intolerance in these areas is influenced by the Law of Uses and Customs, which allows indigenous communities to govern themselves in ways that sometimes conflict with national and international human rights standards.
Despite Mexico’s Constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion, enforcement has been weak, resulting in repeated religious conflicts in regions like Rancho Nuevo and Coamila.
Historically, local authorities have pressured the Protestant minority to participate in Roman Catholic festivals and traditions, leading to serious human rights violations.
In addition to these tensions, persecution of Christians in Mexico has been exacerbated by drug cartel violence. Open Doors USA reports an increase in persecution, with Mexico rising in rank on its World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most oppression.
David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA, previously told us that Mexican Christians are often persecuted by traditionalist Catholics, likening the violence to “clan violence” seen in small rural groups practicing ancient folk religions globally.
