Poseidon Statue Stirs Up Mexican Controversy

A statue of the Greek god Poseidon, situated on a beach in the Gulf of Mexico, is causing controversy. Mexican authorities announced on Thursday that the statue will be "closed" due to lack of proper permits. This decision could result in the removal of the three-meter sculpture of the sea god, which stands with a stern face and trident, as if rising from the depths of the ocean.

The statue was installed in the town of Progreso, on the northern Yucatán peninsula, in May. It was intended as a new attraction on the "international boardwalk". Initially, it attracted tourists and was popular for selfies on social media. However, criticism soon arose about the appropriateness of honoring a foreign god in Mayan territory.

A formal complaint was lodged by a group of lawyers, who argued that the statue offended the beliefs of the indigenous population. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency subsequently decided to close the statue, citing the lack of an environmental impact authorization. The decision was applauded on social media.

The complaint stated, "Poseidon is a Greek deity alien to our Mayan culture. If there was an interest in honoring the god of water, of rains and seas, our Mayan culture has its own deities," referencing the Mayan water god, Chaac.

Under Mexican law, any construction project that could impact the ecosystem must first present an environmental impact statement and obtain a permit. However, these procedures are often overlooked, and authorities typically only intervene by closing the project after the damage has been done.

The Attorney General's Office stated that the closure of the statue is a "safety measure", as it was installed in marine waters, 25 meters from the coastline. They will continue to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Some critics have jokingly suggested that recent storms in the Gulf, including Alberto in June and Hurricane Beryl last week, are evidence of Chaac's anger at the publicity given to Poseidon. Supporters, however, argue that the statue is a positive attraction for tourism.

Lizeth Alvarado, a 28-year-old hotel employee in Progreso, said, "It is an attraction to our port and it catches our attention. There are people from Mérida who come just to see Poseidon." Despite acknowledging the importance of Mayan culture, Alvarado believes that the controversy has mostly resulted in internet jokes.