Mexico City Congress Prepares Law Against Animal Sacrifices in Santeria Rituals
Mexico City, February 17, 2026 – The Mexico City Congress is advancing an initiative to reform existing laws to specifically target and penalize animal sacrifice in Santeria rituals. This legislative effort seeks to address a form of animal cruelty that has, until now, not been adequately sanctioned within the city’s legal framework.
The proposed reform, spearheaded by Congresswoman Jannete Guerrero Maya of the Labor Party (PT), aims to increase penalties for individuals involved in such practices, including those who maintain clandestine sites for animal sacrifice and those who commit sexual violence against animals. The initiative was presented to the local Congress on February 10.
Addressing a Recurring Problem
According to information from the Ministry of Citizen Security (SSC) released on October 28, the risk of rituals involving animal abuse, primarily targeting black dogs and cats, intensifies during October and November. In response, the SSC issued preventive measures, advising against adopting black pets during these months, recommending supervised outdoor time for pets, and urging the public to report any suspicious activities.
Congresswoman Guerrero Maya emphasized that the proposal is not an overreaction but a necessary correction to combat animal cruelty. “We have seen many cases of animal abuse that have even gone viral on social media, in the media, and that hurt us as a society, and we, from the Legislative, must act and do something about it to combat this evil,” Guerrero Maya stated in an interview with Reporte Índigo.
Stiffer Penalties Proposed
The reform seeks to double prison sentences and fines for animal cruelty, moving these offenses beyond minor crimes. The proposal suggests prison sentences ranging from two to six years and fines between 70,000 and 117,000 pesos. In cases where animal abuse results in death, the penalties could increase to up to 12 years in prison and fines of up to 281,000 pesos.
Furthermore, the initiative specifically targets illegal animal sacrifice sites, proposing four to eight years in prison for those who operate or sponsor them. Sanctions for sexual violence against animals would also be toughened, with a maximum of six years in prison and a fine of 274,000 pesos.
Alarming Statistics and Call for Awareness
Congresswoman Guerrero Maya highlighted the alarming statistics in Mexico City, noting that between 2019 and 2025, there were 23,600 complaints of animal abuse, according to data from the Environmental and Territorial Planning Prosecutor’s Office (PAOT). There has also been a 6.7 percent increase in investigation files for animal abuse, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue and promoting public awareness for the care of sentient beings.
The proposal has been referred to the Justice and Animal Welfare commissions for study and opinion. Its prompt approval is anticipated due to widespread acceptance among various sectors of the CDMX Congress.
Beyond Legislation: The Need for Public Awareness Campaigns
In addition to legal reforms, Guerrero Maya stressed the importance of sensitizing the population to eradicate this problem at its root. She lamented that, currently, individuals detained for animal abuse are often released immediately by the Public Ministry after paying a minimal fine. “This type of violence goes further; I think it has to do with a person’s behavior, a cycle of violence that repeats itself and, unfortunately, is transmitted from generation to generation,” she remarked, advocating for education and intensified animal care awareness campaigns in Mexico City.
The city authorities are hopeful that these measures will not only provide the necessary legal backing to curb animal abuse but also foster a greater sense of responsibility and empathy towards animals among the general populace.
Source: reporteindigo.com
