Controversy Erupts Over Proposed Melting of Castro and Guevara Statues in Mexico City
Mexico City – A proposal by the mayor of Cuauhtémoc, Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, to melt down statues of Fidel Castro and “Che” Guevara has ignited a fierce backlash from the Cuban community in Mexico. The statues, previously removed from a public park, were the subject of a plan to repurpose the metal into a monument honoring Carlos Manzomayor of Uruapan, a victim of homicide.
The Association of Cuban Residents in Mexico “José Martí” swiftly condemned the proposal, labeling it as a “sinister plan.” According to a statement released by the association, their primary objective is to secure the return and reinstatement of the statues and, crucially, to prevent their destruction. “The objective is to investigate the situation of the statues of Fidel and Che and continue in the battle for the return, reinstatement and above all, prevent the mayor’s sinister plans Alessandra Rojo to melt them down,” the group declared.
The association reported attempting to engage with the Committee of Monuments and Artistic Works in Public Spaces of Mexico City (COMAEP) to discuss the matter, but a scheduled meeting did not materialize.
The controversy has also drawn the attention of higher levels of government. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo indicated that her administration was “already seeing it” – referring to the mayor’s proposal – and acknowledged the need for further discussion with the head of government, Clara Brugada, to determine the next steps. Sheinbaum Pardo also noted that her office had received a letter from the Ministry of Culture regarding the statues, but had not yet initiated follow-up action after their initial removal from the Cuauhtémoc mayor’s office.
Mayor Rojo de la Vega has publicly defended her position, asserting on social media that the statues represent “dictators and murderers,” while emphasizing the importance of publicly recognizing Manzo.
The situation highlights a complex intersection of political ideologies and historical memory. The debate raises questions about the appropriate way to honor individuals with controversial legacies and the role of public art in shaping national narratives.
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