Circle of silence: The reasons behind Mexican cartels targeting Christians

Persecution of Christians in Unexpected Places

Persecution against Christians is taking place globally, and it’s particularly alarming in places like Mexico.

In a discussion with Blaze TV host Allie Beth Stuckey, Ryan Braun, the CEO of Open Doors US, highlighted the severity of the situation. His organization maintains a global watchlist that monitors acts of persecution, and what’s happening just south of the U.S. border is deeply troubling.

Braun explained that organized crime, particularly drug cartels, are currently targeting Christians. The reason? The church is seen as a hindrance to their business operations.

This opposition mainly stems from Christianity’s role in steering young people away from being recruited into military service and deterring potential users of drugs and alcohol—products that cartels profit from.

As a result, many cartel leaders perceive Christian churches as a threat, occasionally resorting to violent reprisals.

For instance, Braun recalled an incident where a church became a target simply because it refused to comply with cartel demands. He described, “One night, the cartels came in… guns drawn… they kicked people out, forcing them into a school building. They locked them in to make an example, and there was just one bucket in the middle of the room for everyone to use as a toilet for ten days. No water was supplied; they had to drink from a puddle,” he said.

Some regions in Mexico are known as “circles of silence,” which are characterized by a lack of representation of Christianity and Catholicism.

These areas form a geographic circle and are notable for their silence regarding the gospel message. “Without a strong church presence, the message doesn’t get out. They want to silence Christianity completely,” Braun remarked.