Michoacán Senator Celeste Ascencio is facing criticism after posting a photograph of herself consuming iguana soup, a dish that includes a species protected under Mexico's environmental regulations. Ascencio, a member of the Morena party, encountered the soup while touring the city of Carácuaro and ordered it as a childhood favorite.
The photograph, which has since been removed from her Facebook account, depicted the senator with a full bowl and spoon. She initially shared the meal, stating, "It had been years since I last ate iguana soup, but I tried it again in Carácuaro. There is something special about those flavors; one spoonful, and suddenly I was back in my childhood, remembering moments I thought were forgotten until something as simple as a meal brought them back."
However, social media users quickly pointed out that some iguana species are protected under Mexican law, leading to backlash against the senator. Ascencio later acknowledged her lack of awareness regarding the protected status of some iguanas.
"Generally, when I travel across Michoacán, we eat the traditional dishes of the region we are visiting," Ascencio stated in a subsequent post. "I tried iguana soup; I was unaware that some species are protected or of the implications of consuming them. I do not know the local breeding practices, but I will look into it, and – of course – I am in favor of protecting our wildlife and respecting protected species. Thank you to those who pointed this out to me; I have learned from the experience."
The capture and trafficking of iguanas is considered a federal crime in Mexico, punishable by fines ranging from approximately $17,700 to $47,000 and imprisonment from one to nine years.
Some social media users criticized the senator's actions, with one constituent writing, "Serious error is the lack of knowledge about breeding and, above all, the wild captivity of the iguana before its sacrifice to make it food." Another commenter stated, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse for non-compliance. You don’t know such a fundamental legal principle, yet you legislate?"
An official with Mexico’s Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection, speaking anonymously, indicated that the matter had not been investigated. The official clarified that if the iguana originated from an authorized breeding facility for commercial use, there would be no issue. However, problems arise if the animal was illegally taken from its natural habitat, a detail that remains unknown in this specific instance.
