Sheinbaum criticizes Rojo de la Vega for removing statues

Sheinbaum spoke out strongly against Cuauhtémoc Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega's decision to remove statues of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro from a park in the Cuauhtémoc borough. This topic was central to the president's recent morning press conference. Sheinbaum emphasized that Rojo de la Vega's actions could constitute property damage if the statues were auctioned off, a primary concern for the city government. The removal of these monuments has generated significant debate about legal procedures and respect for cultural heritage.

The controversy arose when Rojo de la Vega decided to remove two statues located in a park in the Tabacalera neighborhood. President Sheinbaum categorically described the decision as an act of "brutal intolerance." According to her statements, the manner in which the removal was carried out was illegal , as this type of action requires the approval of a specific committee. A monument cannot simply be removed "just like that," the president emphasized, highlighting the importance of following established protocols for the protection of urban and cultural heritage. The lack of a formal and transparent process is a key point of Sheinbaum's criticism.

President Sheinbaum reiterated that Rojo de la Vega's decision is "tremendously intolerant." This statement comes after images of the mayor vacationing in Cuba were released, adding another layer of complexity to the public debate about her motivations for removing the statues. The president directly linked the removal to a lack of respect for diverse opinions and history, characterizing it as an act driven by a unilateral vision. The Mexico City government and the Ministry of Culture have proposed an alternative solution to the controversy.

The official proposal is for the mayor of Cuauhtémoc to hand over the monuments to be relocated to a suitable site. This alternative seeks to preserve the heritage value of the statues without incurring the need to auction them off, an idea Sheinbaum emphatically rejected. The governor insists that auctioning the statues is not a viable option, as it would represent a significant loss to the city's cultural heritage. The main objective is to ensure that the monuments are managed legally and respectfully, avoiding any action that could be considered damaging to the city's heritage . The government's position is clear: the monuments must be protected and cannot be subject to arbitrary decisions that contravene current regulations. The controversy remains open, but Sheinbaum remains firm in her commitment to protecting the heritage.