Guanajuato Tribunal rules priest committed gender-based political violence

The State Electoral Tribunal of Guanajuato has ruled that priest Jesús Alfredo Gallegos Lara, known as ‘Padre Pistolas’, committed political violence against women based on gender against Governor Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo.

The ruling follows a complaint filed by the State Electoral Institute of Guanajuato (IEEG) and ratified by the Governor regarding statements made by the priest during a religious service on November 2, 2025. During a live Facebook broadcast, Gallegos Lara criticized the Solís-León Aqueduct project and directed threats toward the Governor, including an expression implying physical aggression.

The Tribunal determined that the priest’s comments constituted symbolic violence, noting that threats of physical harm carry a distinct impact against women within a context of gender-based violence. As a sanction, the priest is required to issue a public apology to the Governor via Facebook within five days of the resolution becoming final.