You were probably shocked as I was by the videos pouring out of Mexico of vehicles and buildings being set on fire by members of drug cartels. This included popular vacation spots like Puerto Vallarta where tourists were stranded as airports closed down.

It was the cartel’s violent reaction to the death of “El Mencho”, Rubén Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. He led one of Mexico’s largest and most violent drug cartels, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

But what many don’t know is that CJNG was also attacking Evangelical churches across Mexico.

The violent outburst started after El Mencho was killed in a battle with the Mexican army, on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The American government provided the necessary intel leading to his capture and death. Because he kept a low profile, El Mencho’s movements had been difficult to track.

But he had recently contracted kidney disease. The purchase of equipment and medication served as a crumb trail to the gang leader’s location.

In the raid, the Mexican government also captured the CJNG’s second in command, “El Jardinero,” Flores-Silva.

CJNG is set up in every US state. It is responsible for about a third of the fentanyl and cocaine distributed in America. It’s believed that the cartel operates in about 40 countries in total.

US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, described El Mencho as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”

This violent gang rules by fear and intimidation. As part of this, it had developed an extortion racket. It forced businesses to pay insurance to guarantee the safety of owner families and property.

But according to the Christian Post, this extortion also extended to churches. Though, the gang initially ignored the Roman Catholic Church, that has changed in recent years.

Pastors would receive calls from members of CJNG demanding protection money. During those disturbing conversations, they would be given the names of their family members, and the location where they lived or worked.

It’s reported that CJNG had basically set up equivalent of phone banks. From these locations they repeatedly made intimidating calls to pastors. Many changed their cell phone numbers to try to stop the constant harassment.

A typical call goes something like this:

“I’m calling on behalf of the boss. We know where you live, the address of the church, and what your family does, pastor, so you have to pay your dues to the cartel’s plaza boss. If you don’t want things to go badly for you, cooperate.”

The message was clear. If the church didn’t pay, the pastor’s family was in danger. According to Mexico’s evangelical association, pastors fearing for the lives of their family members rarely contacted the police. There have also been reports of kidnappings and ransom demands.

Unfortunately, these threats have been working.

It’s estimated that about 100 Evangelical churches in Chiapas state closed in 2024 due to crime. Mexico has 32 states, and Chiapas is its southernmost state.

Though we know our true enemy is not flesh and blood, but spiritual, Jesus warned of this type of violence.

After the execution of John the Baptist at the hands of King Herod, Jesus said “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force” (Matthew 11:12 NASV).

Satan will raise up violent men to attack the Kingdom of God. They will literally try to seize the Kingdom of God to control it.

We must be prepared for this reality.