Question

In colonial Mexico, what group held the highest positions in the colonial administration and Catholic Church?

Answer 1

In colonial Mexico, it was the "Peninsulares" who held the highest positions in the colonial administration and Catholic Church, since this were generally not available to people of "mixed" blood. 

Answer 2

In colonial Mexico, the Peninsulares held the highest positions in the colonial administration and Catholic Church.

At the top of colonial Mexico were peninsulares, those inhabits of Mexico that had been born in Spain. Peninsulares stand for the smallest segment of the population. But as the privileged class, the peninsulares held the highest positions in the colonial administration and the Catholic Church. Following the peninsulares, Creoles held the next position in the hierarchy.