'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Samuel Flores, the former leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, remains a controversial figure due to allegations of abuse and the cult-like environment fostered under his leadership.
The Freeform documentary series How I Escaped My Cult explores his actions in Season 1, Episode 3, La Luz Del Mundo, detailing the harrowing experiences of Alethea, a former devotee who was coerced into becoming his s*x slave. Her story aligns with long-standing accusations against Flores, whose tenure saw the church amass millions of followers while operating under strict control.
According to The Mexican Labyrinth report of December 26, 2014, rival religious groups often accused Samuel Flores of building a personality cult centered around himself. His leadership was marked by allegations of r*pe and abuse, with one accuser reportedly stabbed 57 times after coming forward.
Trending
While never convicted, these claims followed him even after his death. Samuel Flores’ influence extended beyond religion, shaping political alliances and maintaining a firm grip on his congregation. His legacy, shaped by power and scandal, continues to be debated.
Since 1997, Samuel Flores faced allegations of s*xual abuse, with claims that loyal followers procured young girls for him
Samuel Flores, the former leader of La Luz del Mundo, was at the center of severe allegations that accused him of orchestrating a system of s*xual abuse within his religious organization.
As explored in How I Escaped My Cult Season 1, episode 3 of La Luz Del Mundo, Alethea, a former follower, detailed how she was coerced into becoming his s*x slave under the pretense of religious devotion.
The episode aligns with longstanding accusations against Samuel Flores, who, according to a Letras Libres article on March 9, 2011, was protected by an inner circle that procured young girls for his personal use, a pattern similar to the scandal involving Marcial Maciel, the disgraced founder of the Legionaries of Christ.
The accusations against Samuel Flores first surfaced in 1997 when multiple men and women came forward, alleging that they had been s*xually abused by him. Most of these incidents reportedly took place in a property known as Casa Real, where a group of women, referred to as Las Vestales, facilitated his encounters.
The accusers also highlighted the presence of a secretive faction within the church, which functioned to suppress dissent and prevent any allegations from gaining legal traction. Despite the testimonies, all cases were eventually dismissed due to statutes of limitations under Mexican law, preventing prosecution.
The political and financial power that shielded Samuel Flores
Samuel Flores' influence extended beyond the confines of La Luz del Mundo, leveraging deep political connections to secure the church’s growth and immunity from legal scrutiny. During his tenure, the organization expanded its reach globally, with an estimated five million followers in 37 countries, The Mexican Labyrinth noted.
As noted by the same report, his alliance with the PRI, Mexico’s ruling party at the time, allowed the church to gain political leverage. Members of La Luz del Mundo were encouraged to vote as a bloc, which granted the church favorable policies, including access to low-cost utilities in its controlled neighborhoods.
According to Letras Libres, Samuel Flores’ supporters ensured that accusations against him never gained traction. The church reportedly spent millions of pesos on full-page newspaper ads defending him and framing the allegations as religious persecution.
His death in 2014 marked the end of his direct influence, but the institution he built remained powerful, setting the stage for his successor, Naasón Joaquín García, who would later face his own legal battles.
Naasón Joaquín García and continued allegations of abuse
After Samuel Flores’ death, his son, Naasón Joaquín García, took control of La Luz del Mundo, maintaining the same rigid authority. In June 2019, California authorities arrested him on charges of human trafficking, s*xual abuse, and child pornography. According to The Los Angeles Times report of November 3, 2020, prosecutors argued that García manipulated young girls into engaging in s*xual acts, convincing them it was a sacred duty.
The allegations closely mirrored those once directed at his father. Alondra Ocampo, initially accused of recruiting minors for García, later claimed that she had also been a victim. Her attorney, Fred Thiagarajah, told The Los Angeles Times that Ocampo was s*xually abused as early as age eight by Samuel Flores. As she grew older, García ordered her to find and groom girls for him, making her believe it was a divine calling.
The case intensified when former church member Sochil Martin filed a federal lawsuit in February 2020. She alleged that she had been forced into s*xual servitude for both Samuel Flores and García. As reported by The Los Angeles Times, the lawsuit exposed a deeply entrenched system of control, where devotion to the apostle was used to justify abuse.
Despite these accusations, La Luz del Mundo continues to defend its leaders, dismissing the claims as religious persecution. While some still see Flores as a spiritual figure, survivors of the church describe a legacy built on power, manipulation, and unchecked abuse.
Stay tuned for more updates.
