Laicity as a political project of citizenship from the State in Latin America: its instrumentalization in three countries (Mexico, El Salvador, Bolivia)

Abstract

This article examines the state’s instrumentalization concerning the political projects of citizenship within the framework of laicity in Latin America, analyzing its evolution across two main stages. The first stage focuses on establishing the legitimacy of the state in opposition to the influence of the Catholic Church and other denominations, grounded in state sovereignty and the separation of political and religious spheres. The second stage emerges amid increasing social, cultural, and religious diversity, requiring the state to recognize difference and ensure equality in the exercise of rights, transitioning toward a form of laicity that promotes human rights. The analysis emphasizes the tensions and challenges arising from these processes in three national contexts —Mexico, Bolivia, and El Salvador— selected for their divergent approaches to political objectives and citizenship definitions. The central objective is to understand how Latin American states have instrumentalized these projects concerning laicity, employing a methodology that considers three dimensions: the normative framework, the role of religious groups, and the political instrumentalization of religion. The central question guiding this approach is: How have Latin American states utilized the concept of laicity in shaping rights and citizenship within contexts of social and religious diversity? This inquiry aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the tensions and transformations in the relationships among the state, religion, and citizenship within the region.

Received: 01 December 2025; Accepted: 13 May 2026