After the assassination of cartel leader, El Mencho, in Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, riots and unrest
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement Feb. 27 asking people to fast for peace Sunday, March 1.
"In response to recent events across the country, the Mexico Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has invited Church members to dedicate their fast on March 1, 2026, to peace and social harmony in Mexico," the Church said.
Two BYU-Idaho students from the city of Guadalajara, in Jalisco, Mexico, commented on their feelings about the unrest and aftermath of the assassination.
Andre Aguilar Gradilla, a physics major in his junior year, said his family was traveling to church when his dad, a member of the stake presidency, got a call from the Area Seventy telling them they needed to go home.
"I was scrolling through Instagram," Gradilla said. "Then I saw there were people fighting. Then I called my parents."
Gradilla explains that it is very rare for cartels to target civilians. They mostly want to scare people.
"My uncle was driving on his way home, and he said he saw a car intercept a bus, and they made all the people get down, and they lit the bus on fire. There were no civilians killed," Gradilla said.
Spencer Jauregui is an online student in his senior year studying professional studies. Unlike Gradilla, Jauregui was in Guadalajara, Jalisco, at the time of the assassination of El Mencho.
"I remember a member of the Church sending a message to the WhatsApp group for the ward. She said we weren't going to have a church meeting because of all the stuff that was happening around the city," Jauregui said.
Despite the unrest, both students emphasized that Mexico is not a scary place like it might seem from news coverage.
"I wish it didn't affect the perspective people have of Mexico so much. Mexico does have dangerous areas, but it's not as bad as people say," Gradilla said.
Jauregui wanted BYUI students to realize that there are dangerous places everywhere. He explained that things like this do happen in Mexico, but typically not in his city.
Jauregui did not realize it was that unsafe until church was canceled. He also explained that church activities were canceled for the entire week. His family did not have enough food, so they tried to go to the store.
"We went out and tried to find milk and eggs, but everything was closed," Jauregui said.
The military flew helicopters to patrol the city, so Jauregui did not feel unsafe. However, for a while, cartel members blocked major roads so that people were trapped within the city.
Despite the shock in the moment, Jauregui and his family were still able to find peace.
"Something that gave us peace was praying about the situation. We know we are good people following the teachings [of the gospel]. We know how to act, and we are supposed to be calm," Jauregui said.
Both BYUI students said that they hoped that people would understand that this is not how they should see Mexico.
"Mexico is not that unsafe. You just have to be aware. The people are so warm. There are nice places. The food is incredible. The people are working in a good way," Jauregui said.
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