Mexico: The Rise of Narco-Religion (Lp5152015)

What happens when you mix drug cartels with religion? This week, Latin Pulse explores the rise of narco-religion in Mexico. The discussion includes a heady mix of discussion regarding the veneration of Catholic saints by violent criminals but also the rise of the devotion of folk saints such as Santa Muerte. The program also discusses curanderos and the use of witchcraft by the cartels. The news segment of the program covers the outbreak of violence in student protests in Chile; the protestors are calling for more equity in higher education in the country. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University; and Tim Knab of the Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock. The graphic of Santa Muerte is in the public domain and is via Wikimedia Commons: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Muerte#/media/File:Muerte-Blanca_6.jpg Produced for release on May 15, 2015. The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/