HUNDREDS gathered on Monday to mourn activist and Catholic priest Marcelo Perez, who was killed in Chiapas, Mexico, where drug cartel violence has driven many to flee their homes.

Fr Perez, known for his advocacy for indigenous peoples and farmers, was shot inside his van on Sunday.

A mass in his honour, conducted in Spanish and his indigenous language Tzotzil, was held in his home town San Andres Larrainzar.