An effigy of US presidential contender Donald Trump -- a hated figure for many in Mexico -- was set ablaze late Saturday in a contemporary twist on a Holy Week ritual.
A smiling figure of the billionaire American businessman went up in flames during the Easter eve "Burning of Judas," a tradition in which Mexicans torch effigies of the devil -- and of public figures they dislike.
In a neighborhood of the Mexican capital city, this year the devil took the form of Trump, who is notorious here for comments made during his presidential campaign accusing Mexican immigrants in the United States of being criminals and rapists.
About 200 people attended the event late Saturday, in which a six-foot (two-meter) papier-mache likeness of Trump wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie was torched.
The figure was created by Felipe Linares, who has been making effigies for more than 50 years at a workshop founded by his father in the early 20th century.
This year he made likenesses of the devil, President Enrique Pena Nieto, Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and Trump -- all of which went up in flames.
Linares told AFP the likeness of Trump was chosen "because we don't like him. He speaks ill of Mexicans."
He was referring to the real estate tycoon's remarks on the campaign trail describing Mexican migrants as criminals and rapists.
The Holy Week tradition of burning effigies is believed to symbolically dispel evil, while torching the Judas figure exacts revenge for the death of Jesus.
Since making his remarks, Trump has become a figure of scorn in Mexico.
Some have made pinatas resembling the Republican frontrunner, while one artist produced shirts decorated with his image along with a vulgarity.
An opinion poll this month found some 61 percent of Mexicans hold a negative opinion of Trump, who has vowed to force Mexico to pay for a huge wall across the US border to stop illegal migration.
AFP
Sun Mar 27 2016
![Trump effigy set ablaze in Mexico Easter ritual Trump effigy set ablaze in Mexico Easter ritual](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-03/81459060334_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Mexican's hang an effigy representing Donald Trump before being set on fire, March 26, 2016 in Mexico City during Holy Week celebrations. AFP / YURI CORTEZ
![Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/81646741163_DatukWilliamNg.jpg)
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
![Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/71694910732_DatukArthurJoseph.jpg)
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.