Two Protestant families in Mexico were threatened with forced displacement by the end of July if they did not apologise to community leaders and agree to contribute financially to Roman Catholic festivals and ringing the Catholic church bells.
Earlier in July, community leaders cut the families’ water supply to pressure them into complying. While state officials have intervened to resolve the conflict, they have taken the side of the community leaders, blaming the religious minority families for refusing to take part in what they admit are religious activities.
Jose Antonio Vidal, Director of Religious Affairs in the Huasteca region where the community is located, and Ivan Huesca, Director of Religious Affairs for the state government, have told local press that they blame the Protestants for rebuffing an agreement which would obligate them to participate in and contribute financially to Roman Catholic religious activities. Christian Solidarity Worldwide raised concerns in a letter to the state governor Omar Fayad Meneses in July, but has not received a response.
