Death of Church and State: The Political Economy of Santa Muerte in the Americas

The meteoric rise of the new religious movement of Santa Muerte has sparked fierce opposition from the Catholic Church and state authorities throughout the Americas. Once a clandestine folk devotion, Santa Muerte now commands a global following in the millions, attracting devotees from the marginalized fringes of society, including the urban poor, LGBTQ+ individuals, prisoners, and even cartel foot soldiers. Yet, her rapid ascent has drawn fire from the Vatican, which has branded the movement as satanic, and from law enforcement agencies that frequently associate her with criminality. This paper examines the ecclesiastical and governmental crackdown on Santa Muerte, analyzing the ideological and political forces driving this opposition and the broader implications for religious pluralism in the hemisphere.