MrBeast has apparently violated the terms of his elite, one-of-a-kind permission to access ancient sites in Mexico | Photo: Billy F Blume Jr/Shutterstock
Mexican authorities are extremely restrictive when it comes to access to ancient Aztec, Mayan and other archaeological sites. Since COVID, the pyramids have been cordoned off and access to them prohibited.
However, and as is typical with the Mexican malinchismo (a term used for locals who give preferential treatment to foreigners), MrBeast was granted unfettered access not only to the pyramids themselves but also permission to enter areas millions of Mexicans have never seen.
“I can’t believe the government’s letting us do this,” he said. “Nobody gets to go where we’re going,” he said inside one of the pyramids. He can’t believe it, nor can any other Mexican. His exclusive access, obviously, prompted criticism from several users who complained that MrBeast had been in areas very few had ever visited.
MrBeast was privileged and allowed to have cameras and lighting equipment, which is a huge no-no for the rest of the people who visit those breathtaking archaeological sites.
MrBeast’s Feastables cause adverse reactions
Now, Mexico’s National Archaeological and History Institute (INAH) is angry that MrBeast is using his trips to the ancient Mayan cities to advertise his chocolate snacks, as seen in minute 13:25 of his video where he promotes his snack as “special Mayan dessert, the brand new Feastable peanut butter cups,” covered with chocolate.
The video of the social media celebrity visiting Maya ruins has been viewed around 613 million times since 10 May on YouTube, where he has 395 million subscribers. In the video titled “I Explored 2,000-Year-Old Ancient Temples,” the influencer explores the ancient Maya cities in south-eastern Mexico, including Calakmul and Chichén Itzá.
On Wednesday Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, requested an investigation into why the YouTuber was granted exclusive access and under which terms and conditions, as if she didn’t know.
‘Pleased,’ but not really
The INAH said that Mexico is “pleased that YouTubers and all the world’s young people appreciate the value of our indigenous civilisations,” however, it added, “we strongly condemn those who take advantage.”
The permit issued to MrBeasts’ production company, Full Circle Media, does not contemplate permission for the “use of the image of the archaeological sites for the advertising of commercial brands for private profit,” the INAH added.
Mexico is “demanding compensation for damages and a public retraction, due to noncompliance with the terms,” the INAH said.
In Mérida, the capital of Yucatán state, where Chichén Itzá is located, several residents expressed their disapproval of the access given to the YouTuber.
“Restrictions and regulations should apply to everyone: domestic tourists, foreign visitors, as well as us locals,” said tour guide Jose Elias Aguayo, 53.
