José de León Toral (December 23, 1900 – February 9, 1929) was a Mexican Roman Catholic who assassinated General Alvaro Obregón, then-president elect of Mexico, in 1928.

[6] He moved to Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution and witnessed General Obregón closing churches and arresting priests who were suspected of supporting ex-President Victoriano Huerta.

In 1920, he joined the National League for the Defense of Religious Freedom, which opposed the governments of Obregón (1920–1924) and Plutarco Elías Calles, and he reportedly was also involved in the Cristero War.

[11] To help enforce the law, Calles seized church property; expelled all foreign priests; and closed the monasteries, convents, and religious schools.

Humberto and Miguel Pro, were executed after they had falsely been accused[citation needed] of plotting to assassinate Obregón.

When Obregón turned to sit down, León Toral drew a gun and shot him five or six times in the back, killing him instantly.

[13]: 403 [2] León Toral was arrested immediately and pleaded guilty, claiming that he killed Obregón to facilitate the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ.

[16] Mother Conchita was also arrested and received a 20-year prison sentence but was pardoned after serving 13 years; she eventually married Carlos Castro Balda, a bomber of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies.