Bad Bunny has faced criticism after being seen touching an ancient relic during his visit to a museum in Mexico.
The acclaimed musician posted a photo of himself at Mexico City’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) while concluding his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour.
In the image taken on December 17, the 31-year-old artist is seen with his hand on what appears to be an ancient Maya stone artifact.
This carved stone, likely dating back to between 250 and 900 AD, bears depictions of influential leaders and intricate hieroglyphics. Such monuments historically served to mark significant dynastic events, assert political dominance, celebrate religious ceremonies, and note the passage of time in public squares.
In response, INAH quickly cautioned the rapper, reminding him that, as widely known, touching archaeological artifacts is strictly forbidden.
The museum emphasized that its no-contact rule is crucial for preserving the artifacts’ condition.
The incident quickly drew criticism online, with many calling the rapper ‘ignorant’ and an ‘a**hole.’ One X user wrote, ‘Obviously thought the rules didn’t apply to him because he’s famous, the superiority is sickening, they don’t know how to be humble.’
Another added, ‘What privilege does he have to go around touching artifacts? F***ing a**hole,’ while a third commented, ‘This a**hole thinks he’s a hotshot and touches stuff like it’s no big deal. Not even going to a museum gets rid of his tacky ways.’
Bad Bunny shared a picture while visiting the Mexico museum, showing his hand placed on what appeared to be an ancient Maya stone slab
INAH explained that its security personnel had to intervene immediately upon noticing the singer place his hand on the artifact.
‘Museum security personnel warned the artist that touching the archaeological pieces was not permitted; after the instruction, the musician immediately removed his hand from the artwork,’ the institution explained.
The INAH emphasized that Mexico’s cultural heritage must be respected by all visitors, stressing the importance of not physically handling these invaluable artifacts.
Visitors are generally prohibited from touching original artifacts or replicas in museums, as contact can cause long-term damage.
Under Mexico’s Federal Law on Monuments, anyone who touches, damages, or removes archaeological items or museum artifacts can face fines or even imprisonment.
Bad Bunny has since deleted the image from his social media.
Days before the museum trip, the rapper took a painful-looking tumble onstage during a concert at the 65,000-seat GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City.
The Puerto Rican rapper, whose real name is Benito Ocasio, was in the midst of a rendition of his song Efecto when the incident occurred.
The music superstar shared an image of himself at the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in Mexico City while wrapping up his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour
While striding across the stage, he slipped and fell dramatically backwards and slightly sideways, landing directly on his rear end.
Rather than rising to his feet immediately and continuing the performance, he sat silently onstage for a few beats before gathering himself back up again.
His massive audience could be heard singing the lyrics to Efecto for him before he stood, in footage of the accident that surfaced on X.
The fall took place just two months before Bunny plays the Super Bowl halftime show, a booking that has proven controversial as a result of his anti-Trump political stance and the fact that he raps almost entirely in Spanish.
After Bunny’s Super Bowl booking was announced in late September, US President Donald Trump slammed the move as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘crazy’ to Newsmax.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem assured YouTuber Benny Johnson that ICE would be ‘all over’ the football game to ‘enforce the law.’
The furor intensified when footage went viral of Bunny staying pointedly seated during a performance of God Bless America at a New York Yankees game, while surrounded by fans who were standing up for the song.
