The National Union of Restorers of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (SINAR-INAH) stated that the shootout that occurred in Teotihuacan on April 20th is not an isolated incident and is a consequence of budget cuts in the cultural sector.
In a statement released on social media, they indicated that a smaller budget translates into fewer security positions, unused inspection equipment at entrances, conservation areas without supplies, and unfulfilled labor commitments.
“The daily operation of the sites is sustained with less personnel, fewer tools, and in conditions that deteriorate year after year,” they asserted.
In this regard, they affirmed that there is a decline in the safety of tourists at archaeological sites, as well as in museums and heritage areas throughout Mexico.
Furthermore, SINAR-INAH stated that the shootout in Teotihuacan reflects an expression of hatred, contempt for life, and the normalization of aggression.
“Caring for our cultural heritage and caring for people are part of the same fabric, and that fabric is built, allowed to break, or rebuilt collectively,” the text reads.
They also asserted that without decent working conditions, positions, equipment, and a budget, their work becomes unsustainable. Therefore, they demanded that federal authorities fulfill their outstanding commitments to the workers and restore the budget to the cultural sector.
What happened in Teotihuacan?
At 11:20 a.m. on Monday, April 20, authorities received a report about a man threatening a group of tourists with a firearm at the Pyramid of the Moon in the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone.
Upon the arrival of National Guard members, the aggressor fired at them, and they returned fire, wounding the man, identified as Julio César Jasso Rodríguez, in the leg. He did not die at that time.
Minutes later, the assailant committed suicide with the weapon he was carrying, according to witnesses at the scene.
During the attack, a Canadian tourist was killed, and a total of 13 people were injured, all of whom were foreign nationals: six Americans, one Canadian, one Russian, two Brazilians, and three Colombians.
The man entered the archaeological site with a firearm and a knife, 52 rounds of ammunition, an analog cell phone, a voter ID card, and bus tickets.
In response to this incident, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced that security checkpoints will be implemented at archaeological sites.
Source: latinus.us
