Paramilitary group "Los autónomos" ambush kills two indigenous people
- El Universal
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The Digna Ochoa Human Rights Committee reported that the injured, two of whom were elderly, were taken to hospitals in the region.
February 11, 2026
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas—A paramilitary group operating in the municipality of Tila carried out an ambush this afternoon, killing two Ch'ol people and wounding four others, according to the Digna Ochoa Human Rights Committee.
They explained that between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., the paramilitary group known as Los Autónomos, which has its center of operations in Sañojá, ambushed a group of Ch'ol people in the Río Grande annex.
As a result of the gunshots, two indigenous people lost their lives, but one of them was shot dead, then doused with gasoline and set on fire.
Four Ch'ol indigenous people, two of them elderly, were injured and taken to hospitals in the region in a private vehicle to receive emergency medical care.
Locals have stated that the paramilitaries are led by José del Carmen Jiménez Pérez, alias “El Quemado,” who in June 2024 launched an offensive against communal land owners in Tila, causing the displacement of between four and six thousand people, the largest in Chiapas in the last 30 years, and the deaths of at least three people. Another leader is Nicolás Bravo, alias “El Postes.”
The Digna Ochoa Human Rights Committee (Comité de Derechos Humanos Digna Ochoa) had said that an act of violence such as the one that occurred on Wednesday was expected. “We warn again that there is a risk of another massacre in Tila due to the failure of the federal and state governments to act, which have protected and allowed the criminal group Los Autónomos to operate, despite the presence of the Pakal Immediate Reaction Forces, the National Guard, and the Army in Tila, and their failure to execute the arrest warrants in force.”
In a document dated February 11, the Ministry of the Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación) states that the institutional presence in Tila has enabled the parties in conflict to engage in dialogue. “The permanent institutional presence in the territory, prioritizing direct dialogue with the various social actors.”
They seek to seize land
In Tila, the paramilitary group “Los Autónomos” is attempting to seize 130 hectares of land from the children of the town's founders, which has caused constant problems in the municipality for more than 30 years.
One of the two men who were killed was identified as Francisco “N,” who was part of the ejido authorities before 2015.
The Ministry of the Interior assures that meetings have been held between the parties in conflict. “Working meetings have been held with law enforcement agencies and security forces, with the aim of strengthening the presence of the State and creating conditions for stability.”
“The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and following up on matters related to the defense and protection of human rights, as well as for conducting dialogue and channeling communications with the competent authorities,” it says.
On January 26, the State Police, Army, and National Guard arrested three Choles indigenous people accused of participating in the murder of Julio César Pérez Pérez, secretary of the Tila ejido commissariat, on January 12, near the community of Nicolás Bravo.
The detainees are: José “N”, Cristian ‘N’ and Francisco “N”, who were charged with the crimes of aggravated murder against Julio César Pérez Pérez.
Likewise, Héctor “N” and Eugenio “N” were arrested for the aggravated murder of the former ejido commissioner of Tila, José Pérez Martínez, which occurred on September 10, 2025, on the road between Chulum Chico and Río Grande.
With what happened on Wednesday, the murderers continue to operate with impunity in the municipality of Tila.
The Digna Ochoa Human Rights Committee stated that “the Chiapas state government authorities were immediately notified, and they have reported that they are aware of the facts and are already taking the necessary action.”
“We trust that the responsible authorities will take the necessary steps to clarify the facts, provide medical care to the injured, and determine responsibility in accordance with the law and in strict adherence to human rights,” said the Committee.
This article has been adapted from the original in Spanish.
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