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Around 150 people protested this Sunday after the removal of the statues of Fidel Castro and Che from the Tabacalera Garden, in the Cuauhtémoc borough of Mexico City.
According to El Universal, the protest was made up of neighbors, Cuban citizens connected to the consular office, supporters of the regime, and shock troops from the Communist Party in Mexico.
With shouts of "Alessandra no, Cuba yes," "This park belongs to Fidel, this park belongs to 'Che'," and "Until victory always," they protested against the measure implemented by Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega.
The Universal gathered testimonies from Olivia Garza of the pro-government Association of Cuban Residents in Mexico, and Ángel Salas from the Communist Party in Mexico, who criticized Rojo and accused her of removing the statues following a meeting with representatives of VOX.
For the independent journalist and Cuban activist residing in Mexico, José Raúl Gallego, the protesters are the same "shock groups that the Cuban Embassy in Mexico used to mobilize to attack the Cubans who were protesting outside."
"This poster, which was present at the protest calling for the removal of the statues of Fidel and Che in Mexico, is the same one they were carrying," he denounced.
"They are the same ones who today mobilize to, pretending to be the 'Cuban community in Mexico', defend the image of two of those responsible for the exile and suffering of millions of Cubans, compatriots for merely thinking differently," Gallego added.
The journalist finds it "very symptomatic and reassuring that the regime's embassy can hardly count on any Cubans in Mexico for these setups."
The media Radio Fórmula reported on the interruption by a man during the protest who began shouting slogans against the regime such as: “Homeland and Life” and “Freedom”, and was violently removed by two of the protest organizers.
Controversy over the removal of the statues
On July 17th, the controversial statues of Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara, installed in the Tabacalera Garden of the Cuauhtémoc municipality, were finally removed by the decision of Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, after detecting irregularities in their placement and receiving numerous complaints from residents.
Rojo de la Vega publicly defended the decision, which has sparked extensive debate on social media and in the media.
The measure has generated controversy, particularly among the boisterous supporters of the Cuban Revolution in Mexico, but Rojo de la Vega reaffirmed his position claiming respect for human rights and the will of the neighbors of the community.
"Citlali, dictatorships and repressive regimes are bad, regardless of where they come from. A murderer is a murderer, whether from the right, center, or left," the mayor wrote on her X account (formerly Twitter), in response to criticisms from Senator Citlalli Hernández. "If you have a totalitarian agenda, just say it and that's it."
“Fidel and Che are not the Cuban people,” he emphasized.
In another post, Rojo de la Vega clarified that the removal of the statues is not the result of a personal whim but rather in accordance with legal procedures requested by the public.
"It's not bureaucracy, it's the law... it's not my arguments, it's the correct administrative processes," she pointed out. "I believe in democracy and legal certainty," the mayor defended.
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, joined the controversy by suggesting that the figures could be relocated elsewhere, considering that they are part of a "historical moment" related to the shared history between Cuba and Mexico.
In response, former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge G. Castañeda criticized the admiration of Claudia Sheinbaum's government for the Cuban dictatorship regarding its reaction to the removal of the statues.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Removal of the Statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in Mexico
Why were the statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara removed in Mexico City?
The statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara were removed due to irregularities in their installation and multiple complaints from local residents. Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega decided to take them down, citing respect for human rights and the will of the community members. The initial installation of the statues lacked the necessary permits from the Committee on Monuments and Artistic Works in Public Spaces, which led to their removal.
What reactions has the removal of the statues generated?
The removal of the statues has sparked a wide debate and controversy. While some sectors, particularly supporters of the Cuban Revolution, have protested the removal, arguing that the statues represent a historical link between Mexico and Cuba, others, including many Cubans in Mexico, have supported the decision, viewing Fidel Castro and Che Guevara as responsible for an oppressive regime in Cuba.
What is the stance of the Mexico City government on the reinstatement of the statues?
The government of Mexico City, led by Claudia Sheinbaum, has suggested that the statues might be reinstallled in another location. The head of the Mexico City government, Clara Brugada, has expressed the intention to reinstall the sculptures in a symbolic public space, arguing that they represent a historical moment related to the shared history between Cuba and Mexico.
What actions has Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega proposed regarding the removed statues?
The mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega has proposed auctioning the statues so that those who revere them can purchase them with their own money. This proposal has sparked divided opinions; some see it as a provocative act, while others view it as a way to compel those who support authoritarian figures to do so without using public funds.
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