Sosúa councilors approve removal of Atabey’s statue from the beach at the request of churches.

Puerto Plata, DR— The Sosúa City Council, in the province of Puerto Plata, unanimously approved the removal of the statue of Atabey during its Tuesday session. The statue, which was placed on the seabed near the beach as a tourist attraction and to help restore the coral reefs, was removed.

The session, chaired by Council President Fausto Santos, welcomed the proposals of priest Johnny Espinal Castillo and Pastor Sebero Cordero Capellán, president of the Federation of Pastors.

The sculpture of Atabey, mother of water, a deity of the Arawak and Taíno cultures from which the island’s first inhabitants originated, was placed in March 2023.

It’s a 16-foot sculpture that serves the purpose of contributing to the recovery of corals in Sosúa Bay, which has been affected for years by pollution and a large amount of waste, in addition to being an attraction for scuba divers.

In its installation by the Maguá Foundation and Global Coralition, it was stated that it seeks to contribute to art, culture, and environmental conservation through the recovery of coral reefs.

Since its installation, it has provoked conflicting opinions among those who believe that, in addition to highlighting Taino culture, the sculpture plays an essential role in the marine environment, and religious sectors that view it as an image for the idolatry of false gods. Who is to say which gods are false? The Taino deity was here first, wasn’t she? Apparently, superstitions die hard.

The municipal ordinance is already sparking debate on social media, with those calling it a demonstration of ignorance and those believing it is a way to remove a foreign element that attracts “ills” to the municipality.