The sacrifice of a chicken in the middle of the Mexican Senate this Wednesday (24) was the target of criticism and caused a scandal in the country. The ceremony was organized by a government politician and broadcast on the House’s social networks.
The unprecedented scene was interrupted shortly after one of the participants, with the sound of drums in the background, cut the chicken’s throat to obtain the animal’s blood. “The Legislature does not support in any way the events that occurred and will take the relevant disciplinary measures with the senator responsible”, states a statement from the Senate presidency published in X.
The ceremony was led by senator Adolfo Gómez, from the ruling Morena party (National Regeneration Movement). The sacrifice would be to offer the animal’s blood to Tlaloc, the pre-Hispanic rain god, according to AFP.
The chamber’s board of directors, controlled by the ruling party, stated that the ceremony was the individual responsibility of the senator. Gómez, in turn, mentioned indigenous traditions to justify the ceremony. The Constitution states that “the practices of original peoples must be respected”, he told the press.
Animal rights groups, however, recalled that animal mistreatment and sacrifice are prohibited in Mexico City.
The organization Anima Naturalis México announced that it will report the senator to the capital’s Public Ministry. The group also called for a protest to demand Gómez’s resignation.
