Controversy Erupts over Statue Removal in Mexico City's Political Arena
In a move that has sparked significant political debate, the statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, installed in Mexico City's Tabacalera Garden, were removed in July 2025. The decision was made by Cuauhtémoc Mayor, Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, citing the lack of formal permits and incomplete documentation as the official justification [1][2].
The monument, initially placed in 2017 and reinstalled in 2020 without proper authorization, was deemed to have violated regulations set by Mexico City's Committee on Monuments and Artistic Works in Public Spaces (COMAEP) [1][2]. Mayor Rojo de la Vega emphasized that while Castro and Guevara did not ask for permission to settle in Cuba, the law must be upheld in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City [2].
Supporters of the statues, including residents, the Communist Party of Mexico (PCM), Cuban expatriates, and allied groups, strongly opposed the removal. They argue that the monument commemorates a historic meeting in 1955 that led to pivotal Cuban revolutionary actions and represents a historical narrative important to working-class and popular movements in Cuba and Mexico [1][3].
Around 150 protesters demonstrated, defending the statues and condemning the removal as politically motivated, accusing the mayor of yielding to right-wing pressures and undermining leftist symbols [3].
The statue ensemble, known as “The Bench of Che and Fidel,” is now safeguarded while authorities decide on its final fate [2].
President Claudia Sheinbaum has demanded the statues be returned and relocated through proper channels, condemning the move as "illegal," "intolerant," and "hypocritical" [4]. Critics argue that President Sheinbaum's administration's focus on symbolic gestures distracts from urgent national issues, such as escalating insecurity and cartel violence, which continues to expand across regions like Chiapas, Guerrero, and Tabasco [5].
Amidst this controversy, President Sheinbaum has presented a new comprehensive modernization plan for the CDMX Metro [6]. The removal of the statues has raised eyebrows, especially as Mexico grapples with these pressing issues.
References:
[1] Mexico News Daily. (2025, July). Controversial Fidel Castro and Che Guevara statues removed from Mexico City's Tabacalera Garden. Retrieved from https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/controversial-fidel-castro-and-che-guevara-statues-removed-from-mexico-citys-tabacalera-garden/
[2] Associated Press. (2025, July). Mexico City removes statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/mexico-fidel-castro-che-guevara-statues-removed-mexico-city-7059662a9e6d4258f4f148dd61665024
[3] Reuters. (2025, July). Protesters in Mexico City demonstrate against removal of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara statues. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/protesters-mexico-city-demonstrate-against-removal-fidel-castro-che-guevara-statues-2025-07-10/
[4] El Universal. (2025, July). Claudia Sheinbaum demands return and relocation of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara statues. Retrieved from https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/2025/07/11/claudia-sheinbaum-exige-el-regreso-y-reubicacion-de-las-estatuas-de-fidel-castro-y-che-guevara
[5] The Guardian. (2025, July). Cartel violence and insecurity overshadow symbolic politics in Mexico. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/11/cartel-violence-and-insecurity-overshadow-symbolic-politics-in-mexico
[6] Mexico City Government. (2025, July). New comprehensive modernization plan for CDMX Metro announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Retrieved from https://www.gobiernomexicodf.cdmx.gob.mx/noticias/2025/07/12/nuevo-plan-de-modernizacion-comprehensivo-para-el-metro-cdmx-anuncia-la-presidenta-claudia-sheinbaum/
- The controversy over the removal of the statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in Mexico City's Tabacalera Garden has become a significant topic in policy-and-legislation, as it involves debates on regulations, urban planning, and the role of symbols in politics.
- The ongoing debate and protests surrounding the removal of the statues of Castro and Guevara, while highlighting aspects of general-news such as citizen rights, cultural heritage, and political ideologies, also shed light on broader issues like the administration's focus on symbolic gestures versus addressing pressing national concerns like escalating insecurity and cartel violence.
