Religious beliefs play a significant role in Venezuelan culture, and traditional religious practices have been challenged and transformed over the past two centuries. In search of guidance and protection, some Venezuelans have turned to nontraditional spiritual figures. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a spiritual movement known as the "Holy Thugs" (Santos Malandros) gained prominence. This group consists of deceased criminals venerated as powerful spirits in the Venezuelan folk religion associated with the cult of María Lionza. The most prominent figure among the Holy Thugs is Ismael Sánchez, who is often identified as Juan Francisco Carrillo. He reportedly led a gang in the impoverished 23 de Enero neighborhood of Caracas during the 1950s and 1960s. According to popular accounts, he was killed by a police officer in 1963. Many devotees view him as a modern-day Robin Hood because he was believed to have stolen from the wealthy and helped the poor. Today, the Holy Thugs include spirits such as Elizabeth, Petroleo (Crude Oil), Freddy Marcano, Carlos Quintero, El Ratón, Luis Sánchez, and others. Devotees believe these spirits can offer protection, guidance, and assistance in times of need. People pray to them for the health of loved ones, protection from violence, help overcoming addiction, and support for family members facing legal troubles. Many followers feel a strong connection to the Holy Thugs because these figures are seen as having lived lives similar to their own. In communities where poverty, crime, and distrust of the justice system are common, devotees often seek comfort and protection from spirits they believe understand their struggles and can intervene on their behalf.
