Bio

José de León Toral was born on December 23, 1900, in Matehuala, a town in the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. He grew up in a Catholic family that worked in mining. As a child, he was influenced by the strong Catholic beliefs of his family.

During the Mexican Revolution, his family moved to Mexico City. This period was marked by significant political and social changes in the country. José witnessed the actions of General Álvaro Obregón, who was a prominent leader at the time. Obregón implemented policies that included closing churches and arresting priests associated with the previous dictator, Victoriano Huerta. These events troubled José and shaped his views on religion and politics.

In 1920, he joined the League for the Defense of Religious Freedom, which opposed the government of Obregón and later Plutarco Elías Calles. This group aimed to protect the rights of Catholics in Mexico. José became involved in the Cristero movement, which arose as a response to the persecution of Catholics during this time.

In 1927, José experienced personal loss when two of his friends, Humberto and Miguel Pro, were executed. They were accused of plotting against the government. José believed they were wrongfully convicted. This event had a significant impact on him and fueled his determination to take action against Obregón.

A Catholic nun named Concepción Acevedo de la Llata, also known as La Madre Conchita, influenced José's decision. She encouraged him to eliminate Obregón in order to fight for religious freedom. This motivation led him to plan the assassination. José's early life was marked by a deep commitment to his faith and a growing discontent with the political situation in Mexico.

Murder Story

José de León Toral was a Roman Catholic militant who took the life of General Álvaro Obregón on July 17, 1928. The incident happened at a restaurant called La Bombilla in San Ángel, Mexico. At the time, Obregón was the president-elect of Mexico.

On that day, León Toral entered the restaurant disguised as a caricaturist. During a banquet in Obregón's honor, he created a caricature of Obregón and another man named Aarón Saénz. After showing the drawing to Obregón, who appreciated it, León Toral turned and shot him in the back multiple times, hitting him five out of six shots. Obregón died immediately from the gunfire.

León Toral was arrested at the scene. He confessed to the murder right away, stating he wanted to create the Kingdom of Christ. His actions were motivated by a sense of vengeance after the execution of two of his friends, who had faced charges of plotting against Obregón. A Catholic nun, Concepción Acevedo de la Llata, had also encouraged him in this plan. She was arrested as well and received a thirty-year prison sentence.

León Toral faced trial and was sentenced to death. He was executed by firing squad on February 9, 1929. His last words were “Viva Cristo Rey!” which means “Long Live Christ the King!” This phrase was a rallying cry for those involved in the Cristero War, a struggle against government repression of the Catholic Church in Mexico.