Alejandra Andrade Investigates the 'La Luz del Mundo' Sect

'Fuera de Cobertura' airs this Monday (10:50 PM) on Cuatro, the second part of the report on the 'La Luz del Mundo' sect, headquartered in Guadalajara (Mexico), addressing its expansion across Europe and Spain, giving voice to the victims. In this new program, journalist Alejandra Andrade (Madrid, 46 years old) accompanies Héctor Vera, who was part of the organization for over two decades. The format marked its best audience of the season this week, with a 6.8% share and 629,000 viewers.

–The second part of the 'La Luz del Mundo' sect and its expansion across Europe, including Spain, airs on Monday.

–In the first part, we focused on explaining the background of this alleged religious organization, especially in the United States and Guadalajara (Mexico), where there is the most fervor. We started there because we managed to speak with one of the organization's leaders and then flew to Europe and Spain to see the surprising implantation of 'La Luz del Mundo'. We focused on the sexual abuses committed, with the testimony of two Spanish victims, which is really very harsh. But we will also investigate the economic aspect: where they get the money, the luxurious life of the 'Joaquins', as they call the self-proclaimed apostles. The level of money they handled was very significant.

–Have you been able to quantify how many victims of the sect are in Spain?

–There are a lot of temples, I was impressed. It's true that the largest temples are in Madrid and Barcelona, but then they have smaller ones in Alcantarilla (Murcia), Valencia, Cuenca... Practically in all major cities in Spain, there is a headquarters of 'La Luz del Mundo'. Basically, they sent people to evangelize and, with the money from the faithful, they bought temples.

–Are you surprised that in 2025 there is still such penetration of a sect?

–It was like being in another century, especially because of the fanaticism. In this case, the leader is serving a sentence for sexual abuse and is being investigated for money laundering, extortion, and human trafficking. A judge has proven it with victims' statements, but the faithful continue to defend him. They believe he is like Jesus Christ. It's a sect where they have no outside information. In Guadalajara, they created a city for themselves where there is no, for example, television. And what struck me the most was the young people there, but they are born and do not leave that city created by the sect. They go to church and inside they have their own school and university.

–Did you feel scared during the recording?

–What scared me the most was when they told me about their connections with a Mexican cartel. In Jalisco, they have a lot of political power too. In fact, they are now fighting because there are several members of 'La Luz del Mundo' who are in the judiciary. I was indeed scared when I learned about their connections with a very dangerous cartel. Otherwise, I was calm. I introduced myself with my full name and went with the truth upfront.

–You are constantly traveling around the world for your reports. How much time do you spend at home?

–It depends on the topics, but the truth is I organize myself quite well. We try to do half of the season with international topics and the other half national. As I record, I arrive in Madrid, it gets edited, and I go back out. My suitcase is always at the door. The truth is, I get better organized each time.