Mexican Lawmaker Faces Backlash for Consuming Protected Iguana Soup
Michoacán Sen. Celeste Ascencio is facing significant criticism after sharing a photo of herself eating traditional iguana soup. The incident occurred during her tour of Carácuaro, where she ordered what she described as a childhood favorite. The photo, initially posted on her Facebook account and since removed, showed her with a full bowl of the soup. The backlash stems from the fact that some iguana species are protected under Mexican environmental regulations. Ascencio acknowledged her unawareness of the protected status of certain iguana species and the implications of their consumption. She stated that she generally tries traditional dishes when traveling across Michoacán and expressed her support for wildlife protection and respect for protected species. The capture and trafficking of iguanas are federal crimes in Mexico, carrying penalties of fines ranging from $17,700 to $47,000 and one to nine years in prison. An official from Mexico’s Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection noted t...