More than 100 Evangelical churches in Mexico have been forced to close their doors following sustained threats and extortion linked to organized crime, authorities and church leaders report. The campaign of intimidation has been attributed to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), whose leader, Rubén Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” died Sunday after being wounded during a military operation in Jalisco.
Evangelical pastors have reported being pressured to pay “protection money,” with many declining to file formal complaints out of fear for their families’ safety. In addition to in-person threats, church leaders have faced widespread phone extortion schemes. Some congregations attempted to respond by reporting suspicious numbers or changing mobile phones, but persistent harassment ultimately led many to suspend services.
Data from the Multidimensional Catholic Center indicates that up to 80 percent of killings of religious leaders in Mexico remain unsolved. Between 2019 and 2026, 13 priests were murdered nationwide, underscoring the ongoing dangers facing Christian communities.
