The recent decision to remove statues of Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara from a park in Mexico City has sparked a wave of reactions, including that of Cuban Ambassador Marcos Rodríguez Costa. Attempting to downplay the move with lofty and evasive rhetoric, Rodríguez Costa stated, "The true Revolution is not made of stone or bronze: it is the transformed consciousness, the collective will to fight and build a more just world," as he addressed the issue on X, steering clear of directly mentioning the decision made by Cuauhtémoc's local government.
The ambassador supported his statement with a Fidel Castro quote: "...there is no force in the world capable of crushing the force of truth and ideas," turning a blind eye to the fact that the late leader was one of history's longest-serving and most repressive dictators.
In addition, the Communist Party of Mexico reacted vehemently to the removal, labeling the act an "affront to the friendship between Cuba and Mexico" and calling for protests. The party staunchly defended figures widely criticized for human rights violations, executions of dissidents, and the criminalization of opposition, without addressing the legal reasons behind the statues' removal.
Cuauhtémoc's Mayor Takes a Stand for Legality
In contrast, Cuauhtémoc's Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, who ordered the statues' removal, demonstrated respect for legality and common sense. "Neither Che nor Fidel asked for permission to settle in Cuba… and neither in the Tabacalera. But here, the law is upheld. Cuauhtémoc is free," she declared, encapsulating the public's rejection of glorifying two leaders accountable for thousands of political executions and persecutions.
On the other hand, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum took a more ambiguous and accommodating stance, suggesting that the statues might be reinstalled elsewhere. By insisting they represented a "historic moment" between Mexico and Cuba, Sheinbaum overlooked the frustration of many residents, as well as the symbolic harm these figures represent to numerous victims of Castro's regime.
The Legal and Social Backdrop of the Removal
The statues' removal was prompted not only by administrative irregularities, such as the lack of permits from the Committee of Monuments and Artistic Works in Public Spaces, but also by years of neighborhood complaints, vandalism, and public opposition.
Since their initial installation in 1917, and again in 2020 without formal authorization, the sculptures, colloquially known as the Che and Fidel bench, have been a source of controversy. While some viewed them as a legitimate tribute to the historical ties between Mexico and the Cuban revolution, many saw them as an affront, an urban homage to two men responsible for summary executions, unjust imprisonments, and establishing an oppressive regime in Cuba.
For now, the statues remain in storage as their final fate is decided. At a time when historical memory is hotly contested in public spaces, the decision by Cuauhtémoc's local government sets a precedent: not every historical figure deserves a statue, especially when their legacy is tainted by repression and violence.
Key Questions about the Removal of Castro and Guevara Statues
Why were the statues of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara removed from Mexico City?
The statues were removed due to administrative irregularities, such as the lack of proper permits, and persistent public opposition, including complaints and acts of vandalism.
What was the reaction of the Cuban Ambassador to the removal?
Cuban Ambassador Marcos Rodríguez Costa attempted to downplay the removal with lofty rhetoric, emphasizing the essence of revolution as a transformed consciousness rather than physical monuments.
How did Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum respond to the statue removal?
President Claudia Sheinbaum took an accommodating stance, suggesting the statues might be reinstalled elsewhere, describing them as representing a "historic moment" between Mexico and Cuba.