Participants in Mexico City’s annual Easter celebrations set fire to a large-scale effigy depicting United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
The event took place as part of the “Quema de Judas,” or Burning of Judas, a long-standing Holy Week tradition where paper-mâché figures representing evil or betrayal are destroyed with fireworks and fire.
This year’s centerpiece featured a single, red demonic body with two heads, one representing President Trump and the other Prime Minister Netanyahu. The figure was equipped with horns and a pitchfork, symbolizing the participants' views on the two world leaders.
Crowds gathered in the streets to witness the ritual, which has historically served as a platform for political and social commentary in Mexico. As the effigy was ignited, onlookers cheered and recorded the event on mobile devices, with footage quickly circulating on social media platforms.
The “Quema de Judas” tradition typically targets biblical figures like Judas Iscariot but has evolved over decades to include controversial politicians, celebrities, and symbols of societal grievances. By burning these representations, participants symbolize the purging of evil from their community.
The 2026 iteration of the event has drawn a polarized response internationally. Supporters of the ritual argue it is a protected form of artistic satire and a legitimate expression of public sentiment regarding foreign policy and bilateral relations.
Critics, however, have condemned the display as disrespectful. Some observers labeled the imagery as offensive, particularly given the religious context of the Easter holiday and the high-profile nature of the individuals depicted.
Diplomatic representatives for the United States and Israel have not yet issued formal statements regarding the display in Mexico City. The event occurs amid a complex period of international relations involving the three nations.
The viral nature of the footage has sparked a broader debate online about the boundaries of political protest. While some view the burning as a harmless folk tradition, others suggest the specific imagery used this year crosses a line into inflammatory rhetoric.