Ramon Gustavo Castillo Gaete is alleged to be the ringleader of the cult
Ramon Gustavo Castillo Gaete is alleged to be the ringleader of the cult

Police in Chile have arrested four people accused of burning a three-day-old baby in a ritual as they believed the child was the Antichrist.

The four people arrested are alleged to be members of a cult who believe the end of the world is near. Police say the baby was put on a bonfire on a hill in the town of Colliguay near the Chilean port of Valparaiso on 21 November.

It is believed the baby's mother, 25-year-old Natalia Guerra, had approved the sacrifice and was among those arrested.

Miguel Ampuero, of the Police Investigative Unit, said: "The baby was naked. They strapped tape around her mouth to keep her from screaming. Then they placed her on a board. After calling on the spirits they threw her on the bonfire alive."

Authorities say the 12-member cult was formed in 2005 and led by Ramon Gustavo Castillo Gaete, who police are still searching for.

Ampuero added that all members of the sect are university educated and have professional jobs, including a flight attendant, a filmmaker, and a draftsman.

Police say Castillo Gaete controls the group using the hallucinogenic brew plant ayahuasca. The 35-year-old was reportedly last seen in Peru buying the plant.