Chicken killed for rain

Uproar over sacrificial ritual in front of Mexican Senate

(Bild: x.com (Screenshot))

The sacrifice of a chicken to the Aztec rain god Tlaloc at a ceremony in front of the Senate building in Mexico City has triggered political anger in Mexico. It was said that the ritual was a plea for rain. The country has been struggling with drought for many weeks.

On Wednesday (local time), the parliament's online networks broadcast the unusual scene of a participant cutting the throat of a chicken to the sound of drums in order to collect its blood. Senator Adolfo Gómez from the ruling Morena party had invited people to the ritual.

The ritual slaughter of the hen in front of the Senate building was shared on social media by journalist Leticia Robles de la Rosa (see her post on X below).

Animal welfare organization announced demo
The Senate leadership distanced itself from the event. The Senate could "in no way condone" such an action and would take punitive measures against Gómez. He justified himself by arguing that the Mexican constitution provides for "respect for the traditions of the indigenous people".

Animal rights activists, on the other hand, emphasized that all animal sacrifices and cruelty to animals are prohibited in Mexico City. The animal protection organization Anima Naturalis announced a demonstration in front of the Senate building to demand Gómez's resignation.