Opponents say that leftist firebrand Andrés Manuel López Obrador is Putin’s favored candidate; he is brushing off the accusations of Russian interference in Mexico.

During his comments to the pro-government National Constituent Assembly Jan. 15, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also ordered the attorney general to investigate the bishops for hate crimes.

1,603 of the damaged churches were catalogued as historic buildings.

Until now Pope Francis has stood firmly by Bishop Barros.

Many who may have been considering demonstrating against the Hernández government have been sufficiently intimidated into inaction this week.