Mexican President López Obrador shares photos of purported Mayan elf from folklore

Mexican President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador shared a picture on social media on Saturday of what he claims is a mythical woodland elf from Mayan folklore. 

"Everything is mystical," López Obrador said in a Twitter post that included two pictures, including one of the mythical “aluxe.”

According to the Mayans, “aluxes” are small, mischievous elves that inhabit forests and fields. They are known for playing tricks on people, which is why some leave behind small offerings to appease them. 

Les comparto dos fotos de nuestra supervisión a las obras del Tren Maya: una, tomada por un ingeniero hace tres días, al parecer de un aluxe; otra, de Diego Prieto de una espléndida escultura prehispánica en Ek Balam. Todo es místico. pic.twitter.com/Tr5OP2EqmU

— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) February 25, 2023

The now-viral picture shows the alleged “aluxe” on top of a tree with glowing eyes during nighttime. According to the president, the picture was taken a few days ago by an engineer at the construction of the railway train in the Yucatan Peninsula. 

The other picture on the post that has amassed more than 8.3 million views is one of a pre-Hispanic sculpture in Ek Balam, a Mayan archeological site. 

The president’s post has set off speculation and mockery among the Twitter community, with some claiming that the picture of the “aluxe” is actually an animal with a bag on its head. Others have pointed out that the picture of the alleged mythical creature is actually a few years old and has been used in other news stories.