Followers of “Saint Death”, an unofficial cult that worships a scythe-wielding skeletal figure not recognized by the Catholic Church, protest in front of Mexico City’s cathedral April 5, 2009, after a

Followers of “Saint Death”, an unofficial cult that worships a scythe-wielding skeletal figure not recognized by the Catholic Church, protest in front of Mexico City’s cathedral April 5, 2009, after authorities destroyed a shrine to the “saint” in the violent border town of Nuevo Laredo. Church officials and police say “Santa Muerte” is revered by drug traffickers and criminals who pray to the image for miracles and the cult is booming in popularity in neighborhoods in the capital notorious for selling contraband and border cities wracked with drug violence. More than 6,300 people were killed

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Image details

Contributor:

REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo

Image ID:

2D1H455

File size:

21.4 MB (724.1 KB Compressed download)

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Dimensions:

3500 x 2141 px | 29.6 x 18.1 cm | 11.7 x 7.1 inches | 300dpi

Date taken:

5 April 2009

Photographer:

Daniel Aguilar

More information:

This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.

Followers of “Saint Death”, an unofficial cult that worships a scythe-wielding skeletal figure not recognized by the Catholic Church, protest in front of Mexico City’s cathedral April 5, 2009, after authorities destroyed a shrine to the “saint” in the violent border town of Nuevo Laredo. Church officials and police say “Santa Muerte” is revered by drug traffickers and criminals who pray to the image for miracles and the cult is booming in popularity in neighborhoods in the capital notorious for selling contraband and border cities wracked with drug violence. More than 6, 300 people were killed in Mexico last year as violent drug cartels fight each other and the government. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar (MEXICO RELIGION POLITICS CONFLICT)