United Kingdom, March 28 -- Carlos Santana believes Michael Jackson was taken down by "hostile forces".

The 77-year-old music veteran has shared his belief that his former collaborator - who was accused of sexually abusing children prior to his death in 2009 - was targeted by shadowy figures "with an agenda" who wanted to "destroy" his "light".

In an interview with The Independent newspaper, Santana explained: "The hostile forces on this planet have an agenda, and that's to destroy your light.

"Michael Jackson did a lot of great things with his money for children, and the hostile forces didn't like it."

When asked to explain who the mysterious forces are, Santana replied: "The hostile forces are Satan, Lucifer and the Devil.

"Santana...