Mexico City mayor criticizes rejection of statue exchange for public works materials

Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, the mayor of Cuauhtémoc, expressed regret that Mexico City's head of government, Clara Brugada, refused an exchange proposal. Rojo de la Vega had offered to trade statues of Ernesto “El Che” Guevara and Fidel Castro for essential public works materials, such as paving supplies and garbage collection machinery.

Rojo de la Vega criticized Brugada's decision, stating it prioritized personal admiration for the Cuban model over the needs of Mexico City's residents. She highlighted Cuba's economic decline, noting that its currency once matched the dollar, but the revolution she claims Brugada wishes to honor plunged 89% of the population into extreme poverty.

“

I regret that she has put ideology and personal admiration for the Cuban model of government above service to the neighbors.

In response to the proposal, Brugada announced that new sculptures to replace the removed ones would be financed through the "economic solidarity" of social groups and activists, not public funds. The location for these new figures is still under consideration, following the Cuauhtémoc delegation's removal of the original statues from Jardín Tabacalera last year.

“

Cuba was the third best economy in Latin America and the 30th in the world. The Cuban peso was worth the same as the dollar and Cubans earned around $520 a month, the equivalent of $6,000 today. But the revolution you want to honor led 89% of its population into extreme poverty.