Federal Judge Orders Reopening of La Luz del Mundo Abuse Investigation

Mexico City — A federal judge has ordered Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) to reopen the investigation into sexual abuse allegations against leaders of the La Luz del Mundo church, including Naasón Joaquín, overturning a previous decision to close the case.

Victims of the church said that during a hearing Monday, Judge Juan José Rodríguez Velarde revoked the FGR’s decision not to prosecute, which had been issued in December. The judge cited a lack of cooperation between Mexican and U.S. authorities in the investigation as one reason for his ruling.

“This case shows that victims can access justice when there are career judges like Juan José Rodríguez Velarde, who guarantee impartiality in decision-making,” the victims said in a statement.

Victims Sochil Martin and Sharim Guzmán said the FGR closed the investigation on Dec. 17, 2025, despite complaints of organized crime, trafficking of minors, production of child pornography, and sexual abuse.

“With the reopening of the investigation, victims and their representatives will push for a thorough investigation against all members of the criminal organization formed by LLDM leaders, as well as binational cooperation so that this case does not go unpunished,” they said.

President Claudia Sheinbaum had said days earlier that the FGR was seeking to reopen the case under the leadership of Ernestina Godoy. However, victims said the FGR defended the closure during the hearing and asked the judge to uphold it.

“With its actions, the FGR actively tried to close the doors of justice to hundreds of victims,” they said.