Defensores de Cristo, or Defenders of Christ, was founded in the early 2010s in northern Mexico by Spanish citizen Ignacio Gonzalez de Arriba. The group initially presented itself not as a formal religious movement but as a center for “bio-programming.” This approach claimed to help participants “reprogram” their minds to address psychological distress, including pain, anxiety, and depression.
As the organization developed, its framework shifted toward a religious structure centered on its founder. Gonzalez de Arriba began asserting that he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Promotional materials compared photographs of Gonzalez de Arriba with traditional depictions of Christ, suggesting physical similarities. This transition marked a shift from a self-help initiative toward a religious movement focused on the authority and reverence of its leader.
The internal structure of Defenders of Christ was organized around a strict hierarchy. Under the direction of Gonzalez de Arriba and his associate Jose Losanger Segovia, members reportedly experienced significant psychological control and social isolation. The group blended bio-programming techniques, Christian theology, New Age concepts, and apocalyptic themes to reinforce compliance and loyalty.
As membership expanded, allegations of abuse and exploitation emerged. Former members and advocacy organizations reported that the group operated as a front for human trafficking and forced labor. Women were allegedly compelled into prostitution and other sexual activities, framed as religious service. Members were also required to provide financial contributions or unpaid labor described as “tithes.”
The group’s operations took place in areas historically influenced by the Zetas drug cartel, prompting questions about how such an organization functioned in territories with established criminal control. Despite lacking formal registration with Mexico’s Interior Department as a religious entity, Defenders of Christ reportedly remained active for approximately three years.
In early 2013, Mexican federal police and immigration authorities intervened following complaints from victim advocacy groups. Law enforcement officers and agents from the National Migration Institute raided a residence near Nuevo Laredo, across the border from Laredo, Texas. Inside, they found 24 individuals, including children, living in unsanitary conditions. Those detained included 14 foreign nationals, along with 10 Mexican citizens.
Although the Nuevo Laredo operation was dismantled, advocacy groups raised concerns about possible remaining cells in other South American countries. The case remains a notable example in Mexican criminal investigations of a religious structure being used to facilitate organized exploitation and trafficking.
Key Sources:
The Associated Press. (2013, January 29). Mexico breaks up alleged Border Sex-Slavery cult.
NBC News. (2013, January 29). Cult accused of grooming sex slaves for “Christ” busted in Mexico.
Rankin, E., & Fisher, G. (2016, June 14). Filipino man claims death threats from members of powerful Christian church. CBC News.
Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements 