José Reyes Vega was a Mexican priest who participated in the

Cristero War The Cristero War ( es, Guerra Cristera), also known as the Cristero Rebellion or es, La Cristiada, label=none, italics=no , was a widespread struggle in central and western Mexico from 1 August 1926 to 21 June 1929 in response to the implementa ...

as a general. He was known as "Father Vega". On April 19, 1927, an event took place that almost succeeded in extinguishing the revolution. He led a raid against a train in La Barca, Jalisco, said to be carrying a shipment of money. In a shootout that followed with the army escort, Vega's younger brother was killed. Maddened with grief, he had the wooden cars doused with gasoline, and 51 civilian passengers were burned alive. An atypical priest, Vega was known as a drinker and womanizer as well as well for his murderous behaviour. After one engagement, he had federal prisoners stabbed to death to save ammunition. The atrocity helped to turn public opinion against the Cristeros. The Cristeros mounted an attack on Guadalajara in late March. Though it failed, the rebels won a smashing victory at the

Battle of Tepatitlán The Battle of Tepatitlán was fought on April 19, 1929, at Tepatitlán in the state of Jalisco Jalisco (, , ; Nahuatl: Xalixco), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco ; Nahuatl: Tlahtohc ...

against Saturnino Cedillo, in the heart of Los Altos, on April 19. Vega, who designed the plan that won the victory, was killed in the engagement.

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* * http://www.ansac.az.gov/UserFiles/PDF/05082014/X007_DocsJGBrady/VerdeX007.pdf * https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/college-programs/10559-for-greater-glory-study-guide.pdf * https://carmelcommunications.com/saints-and-sinners-in-the-cristero-war/ *
Los Cristeros y Los Bragados
* * Cristero War 1929 deaths Year of birth missing Mexican priests {{Mexico-bio-stub

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