Mexico. Mother Chayo – the leader of Santa Muerte followers was shot at the altar

The incident occurred on Friday evening in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. According to the AP agency, the leader of the Santa Muerte cult – La Madrina Chayo, also known as Mother Chayo, was shot at the altar as she was preparing to perform the cult. Another woman and a 16-year-old boy also died with her. Eight people – including two children – were injured. There is no information about the health condition of the injured.

Mexican media report that an armed man blended into the crowd and began shooting during celebrations in honor of Santa Muerte. Before the police arrived, he managed to escape.

The cult leader was supposed to receive threats on Friday, but she did not decide to cancel the celebration. The Mexican website Debate reports that a few days earlier, Mateczka Chayo's partner was murdered. The prosecutor's office initiated an investigation to explain the circumstances of the shooting.

As AP points out, Guanajuato has the most homicides of any Mexican state due to constant turf wars between rival drug cartels.

On the eve of Mexico's Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos), 88 people were killed throughout the country, the El Universal daily reported, citing the daily tally of the Secretariat for the Safety and Protection of Citizens (SSPC).

Read in premium: Día de Muertos. What does Mexican All Saints' Day hide behind the mask of joy?

Originally, All Saints' Day in Mexico was celebrated in August and lasted the entire month. Only later, with the arrival of Catholics, was it moved to the beginning of November to coincide with the tradition of celebrating All Saints' Day.

Many of the followers of Holy Death are convicted criminals, drug addicts and people facing other difficulties in life. The saint, who is not recognized by the Catholic Church, is depicted as a female skeleton dressed in a nun's robe. He holds a scythe in his hand. According to beliefs, it protects its followers from death.

Although Santa Muerte is associated with drug cartels and some call her a “narco saint”, other people also turn to her seeking supernatural help in matters such as protection against evil deeds, taking revenge, stopping lovers from cheating, or getting a better job – writes the AP agency.

He also notes that the name of the cult may sound ominous, but celebrations in honor of Santa Muerte take place in a friendly atmosphere. According to research, about five percent of Mexicans, or almost five million people, believe in the Holy Death.

Ola Synowiec – a writer who deals with Mexico – w interview with Tomasz Mikulicz from tvn24.pl she explained that “it used to be said that she (Santa Muerte – ed.) is the patron saint of all excluded social groups that no saint wanted to 'embrace'. In addition to criminals, sex workers and the LGBT+ community will find comfort in her.”