Introduction
Layda Sansores, the governor of Campeche, responded to criticisms from Mexico’s federal Secretariat of Culture, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, following the release of a video by popular YouTuber MrBeast. The video, titled “Exploré templos de dos mil años de antigüedad” (I Explored Temples Two Thousand Years Old), has garnered over 56 million views in just four days. The controversy revolves around the filming of the video at the Calakmul archaeological zone in Campeche.
Background on Key Figures
Layda Sansores: The governor of Campeche, who has defended the video production and emphasized its positive impact on tourism for the state.
Claudia Curiel de Icaza: The Mexican federal Secretary of Culture who raised concerns about potential damage to the archaeological heritage due to MrBeast’s video adaptations.
MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson): A popular American YouTuber known for his large-scale charity events and engaging content, who collaborated with local authorities to film at Calakmul.
The Controversy
Curiel de Icaza expressed concerns about possible sanctions against MrBeast for alleged irregularities during filming, specifically targeting narrative adaptations that she believes could compromise the symbolic integrity of the archaeological site.
Sansores, however, maintains that all legal procedures were properly managed and approved by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) and other relevant authorities.
Governor’s Defense
- Legal Permits: Sansores confirmed that MrBeast’s team obtained all necessary permissions from INAH, with the institute and other authorities overseeing the filming process.
- Economic Benefits: The governor highlighted that the video production generated direct economic benefits for local communities and increased global tourism reach without any financial cost to the state.
- Respect for Heritage: Sansores asserted that MrBeast’s team acted responsibly and respectfully during the filming, ensuring the protection of Campeche’s ancestral riches.
Rejection of Potential Sanctions
Sansores expressed disappointment and surprise at the possibility of sanctioning MrBeast’s production, emphasizing that the video serves as significant global publicity for Campeche.
“I am deeply saddened that the Secretariat of Culture does not consider the benefits for Campeche. This video represents enormous publicity for the state, with over 56 million views in just four days,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“I am surprised that the Secretariat of Culture wants to sanction the production for its adaptations aimed at a young and international audience, which are typical characteristics of visual literature. These adaptations do not violate current laws or endanger Mexico’s archaeological heritage,” she added.
MrBeast’s Acknowledgments
In the video description on YouTube, MrBeast publicly thanked:
- Layda Sansores, the governor of Campeche
- Josefina Rodríguez, Mexico’s national Secretary of Tourism
- The Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH)
- The Calakmul, Balamcanché, and Chichén Itzá archaeological zones in Mexico
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Layda Sansores? Layda Sansores is the governor of Campeche, a state in southeastern Mexico known for its rich archaeological heritage.
- Who is MrBeast? MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is a popular American YouTuber known for his large-scale charity events and engaging content.
- What is the controversy about? The controversy centers around MrBeast’s video filmed at the Calakmul archaeological site in Campeche, with concerns raised about potential damage to the heritage due to narrative adaptations.
- What is Layda Sansores’ stance? Governor Sansores defends the video, asserting that all legal procedures were followed and that the production brought significant benefits to Campeche’s tourism without causing harm to its heritage.
- What did MrBeast say in response? MrBeast publicly thanked relevant authorities, including Layda Sansores and the INAH, for their support during the filming.
