The Mexican city of Mexico City’s mayor recently sparked a wave of public protest and official rebuke by removing statues of Cuban revolutionary leaders Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. The decision to dismantle the memorials, which were erected in 1955 as symbols of the Cuban Revolution’s arrival in Mexico, has drawn strong condemnation from Mexico’s highest office. The statues, located in the Jardin Tabacalera, were part of a historical tribute to the Cuban Revolution’s impact on the country and its cultural legacy.
Protests have erupted across the city as citizens and historians express dismay over the erasure of historical symbols. Some citizens are calling for the statues to be restored, arguing that they represent an important chapter in Mexico’s history. The removal of these statues has also stirred debates about the role of historical memory and the preservation of public monuments. Mexico’s national authorities have publicly criticized the mayoral decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining historical landmarks for both national identity and educational purposes.