Blood Sacrifice and Drug Cartels in Latin America

Praying for Death — Blood Sacrifice and Drug Cartels in Latin America

Cult rituals among criminal groups are more widespread than believed, according to a new book

A new collection of essays tackles patterns of cultish behavior and ritualized violence among illegal groups across the globe, from the Zetas and the Familia Michoacana to Al Qaeda and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Edited by longtime organized crime analyst Robert Bunker, Blood Sacrifices: Violent Non-State Actors and Dark Magico-Religious Activities consists of 14 essays by 13 different authors, spread across nearly 300 pages.

The tie linking the writings is revealed in the title — all of the pieces relate to different criminal groups’ use of blood sacrifice, ritualized violence, pseudo-religious bloodshed or some offshoot thereof.

Beyond that, the essays’ focus varies a great deal. In addition to the groups mentioned above, readers are treated to extended treatises on Las Reglas de Kongo, an Afro-Cuban religious tradition that has gained popularity among certain traffickers; amphetamine and other drug use by members of illicit groups; and human sacrifice among Islamic terrorist organizations.