Bad Bunny Criticized for Touching Maya Stele in Mexico Museum

Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny drew criticism from Mexican cultural authorities after touching an ancient Maya stele during a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City on December 17. The incident, which the singer documented in social media posts he later deleted, prompted a public statement from the National Institute of Anthropology and History, the museum's overseeing body.

The 31-year-old artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was in Mexico City for the final dates of his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour. The shows, held at Estadio GNP Seguros from December 10 to 21, attracted an estimated half-million fans across eight sold-out performances. During his museum visit, Bad Bunny placed his hand on the stele, a carved stone monument dating to between 250 and 900 A.D. These artifacts, central to Maya culture, often depict rulers, hieroglyphic texts and commemorations of dynastic events, political achievements and religious rituals in ancient public plazas.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History confirmed the details in a statement released on December 27 via social media. "As is public knowledge, physical contact with...