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MEXICO DC, Reforma newspaper 12/04/2010 - Edition ACPress.net
 Even the preachers are saved from paying dues to the drug cartels in Mexico. The evangelical Christian pastors must pay a protection fee to carry out celebrations in their temples, which are required also if they hold big events. A leader of the National Evangelical Defense Committee reported that drug gangs are trying to 'rentier', ie to charge a monthly income. "We require a monthly income not to do anything to them. The need is money for the life of a pastor or not attacking the faithful during the events to be carried out. "
The leader said the narcos speak to the preachers, they are asked what they want and warned to be careful, they know where they live, what time to leave and enter his house, what their modus vivendi, data from your car. "They give very accurate reference," he said.
For its part, a representative of the Christian organization Voice of the Martyrs, which was responsible for documenting acts of religious intolerance and repression, confirmed this information and indicated that large churches of Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and Michoacán have received threats of kidnapping against their pastors by Los Zetas.
Out of fear, the sources declined to be identified.
CASES IN OTHER STATES
Similar cases have also been reported in Tabasco, Mexico state, Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California and Veracruz. So far this year, the National Evangelical Defense Committee has received 15 complaints of extortion and threats to pastors.
The Voice of the Martyrs reports that, this 2010, Pastor Jesús Arenas, Cardenas, Tabasco, was released after a ransom was paid. Sources reported that the organization last December, a command Zetas interrupted a ceremony of gifts in the town of Luviano, State of Mexico.
"Came the trailers with boxes. Since the clowns were there, everything was ready. Passed (the Zetas) in a Suburban van, met with the pastors and told them: 'If you want everything to go well, we're going to charge' .
However, the subjects fled before the arrival of an armed group more numerous family, which protected them free, the source said.
As Catholics, the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) secured by Manuel Corral, secretary of state-Episcopal Church, which has received no reports of priests who have been threatened or blackmailed by groups linked to cartels drugs.
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Even the preachers are saved from paying dues to the drug cartels in Mexico. The evangelical Christian pastors must pay a protection fee to carry out celebrations in their temples, which are required also if they hold big events. 
