A statue of Diego de Vargas was installed in 2007 at the west end of Santa Fe, New Mexico's Cathedral Park, in the United States. The statue was removed in June 2020 [1]

Statue of Diego de Vargas
The statue in 2016
Subject	Diego de Vargas
Location	Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
Coordinates	35.686939°N 105.935789°W / 35.686939; -105.935789 until 2020

Controversy over storage

While the statue's fate is being debated, the statue was at the center of a controversy on where it has been stored and if it is being protected. In early February the statue was found in the backyard of a private residence home (which was not disclosed for privacy and safety concerns). [2] The mayor and city manager had been told that the statue was in a city facility. This has led to concerns that the statue was at risk of damage or vandalism.

Fate

The statue's fate is currently being determined. Supporters of removal see the statue and a celebration of Spanish colonization, while supporters of the statue say it is a celebration of Spain and Hispanic heritage. Former Santa Fe mayoral candidate Ronald Trujillo has expressed interest in the statue being donated back to the Caballeros De Vargas which would then redisplay it on their own property. This request has been supported by multiple members of the city council. Councilman Christopher Rivera stated "I would be in favor of that, especially if we can't take care of it".[3]

See also

• List of monuments and memorials removed during the George Floyd protests

References

This article about a sculpture in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e