Images: Removal of statues commemorating Fidel and Che in Cuauhtémoc; Sheinbaum calls for new monumental decisions
The **"Encounter" monument**, a symbolic representation of Fidel Castro and Ernesto "Che" Guevara, was recently removed from the Jardín Tabacalera in Mexico City's Cuauhtémoc borough. The Cuauhtémoc Alcaldía, led by Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, was responsible for the removal, as it was installed without the necessary authorization from the Committee on Monuments and Artistic Works in Public Spaces (COMAEP), as required by Mexico City regulations[1][3][4].
The removal has sparked ongoing discussions about the monument's future. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has proposed relocating the statues to another location, acknowledging their historical significance as part of a shared history between Cuba and Mexico. Sheinbaum suggested discussing the relocation with the head of government, emphasizing that if the monument is unwanted in its current location, it could be placed somewhere else[2][3].
However, the Mexican Communist Party (PCM) has expressed opposition to the removal, viewing it as an "unpopular and anti-communist" act. The PCM sees the monument as a commemoration of a historic moment in the fight for national liberation and argues that its removal has broader implications beyond administrative issues[4]. The party has called for protests and has not specified who they consider responsible for the "arbitrary decision."
Meanwhile, the Cuban ambassador to Mexico, Marcos Rodríguez Costa, has reacted to the removal of the sculptures of the "Che" and Fidel Castro on social networks, stating: "The true Revolution is not of stone or bronze." Rodríguez Costa did not provide any further comment on the situation[5].
As discussions continue about the potential relocation of the monument, the future of the "Encounter" statues remains uncertain.
The ongoing discussions about the "Encounter" monument have intricate ties with Mexico's policy-and-legislation, as its removal lacked the required authorization, highlighting the importance of adhering to general-news regulations. The Mexican Communist Party, in opposition to the removal, views it as an act with far-reaching implications beyond administrative issues, rooted deeply in the realm of culture and politics.
