Who’s Afraid of Robin Hood? The Catholic Church’s Mediation Attempts in the Mexican Drug War

Veselica, Milan (2025) Who’s Afraid of Robin Hood? The Catholic Church’s Mediation Attempts in the Mexican Drug War. The Review of International Affairs, 76 (1194). pp. 265-292. ISSN 0486-6096

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Abstract

This paper examines the potential role of the Catholic Church in mediating Mexico’s drug war, particularly in light of the 2024 proposal from the leader of the Mexican Episcopal Conference. While the concept of faith-based mediation has been extensively explored in political science, this specific case is noteworthy due to the involvement of drug cartels in an internal armed conflict. Utilising the theoretical framework established by Bercovitch and Kadayifci-Orellana, the author investigates the Church’s identity, resources, challenges, strategies, and motivations as a mediator. The study sheds light on the complex dynamics between the Church and drug cartels, which encompass everything from parallel social activities to instances of victimisation. Despite these challenges, the context in Mexico offers the Church a unique opportunity to confront issues related to drug cartels, including the rise of “narco-religion”. As a result, three potential approaches emerge – religious, social, and political – that could mitigate the influence of drug cartels and enhance the mediating power of the Catholic Church.

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