MEXICO CITY, MEXICO — Mexican authorities are pursuing compensation from the production company of YouTube personality MrBeast, alleging the unauthorized use of imagery from the nation’s ancient archaeological sites to promote a chocolate brand.
A video featuring the social media star visiting Mayan ruins has garnered approximately 60 million views on YouTube since its release on May 10.
MrBeast, who boasts 395 million subscribers, titled the video “I Explored 2000 Year Old Ancient Temples,” and within it, he explores the ancient Mayan cities of Calakmul and Chichen Itza in southeastern Mexico.
His remark, “I can’t believe the government’s letting us do this,” upon entering a pyramid, elicited criticism from numerous viewers who claimed MrBeast was granted access to areas off-limits to Mexican citizens.
On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum requested clarification regarding the terms under which the YouTuber was granted access to the sites.
Furthermore, the influencer promotes his own brand of snacks in the video, referring to them as “Mayan-approved,” which has prompted an official complaint from Mexico’s National Institute of Archaeology and History.
While the institute stated on social media that Mexico is “pleased that YouTubers and all the world’s young people appreciate the value of our indigenous civilizations,” it also “strongly condemns those who take advantage.”
The permit issued to the production company, Full Circle Media, did not authorize “the use of the image of the archaeological sites for the advertising of commercial brands for private profit,” the institute clarified.
Consequently, Mexico is “demanding compensation for damages and a public retraction, due to noncompliance with the terms,” it announced.
In Merida, the capital of Yucatan state where Chichen Itza is situated, several local residents voiced their disapproval of the preferential access seemingly granted to the YouTuber.
Tour guide Jose Elias Aguayo, 53, commented, “Restrictions and regulations should apply to everyone: domestic tourists, foreign visitors, as well as us locals.”
