Why is Bad Bunny facing backlash in Mexico? Museum incident sparks criticism

The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Red Carpet - Source: Getty
The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Red Carpet - Source: Getty

Fresh off the Mexico leg of his tour, Bad Bunny found himself at the center of controversy after an encounter with a protected archaeological piece during a museum visit in Mexico City.

The Puerto Rican artist concluded his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (I Should Have Taken More Photos) World Tour in Mexico on Dec. 17. To commemorate the closing of the circuit — which kicked off in November in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — Bad Bunny took to his social media page to post his offstage moments in the city, especially his visit to the National Museum of Anthropology.

In one of his photos, however, he is seen touching an artifact inside the museum, igniting groans across social media platforms and a series of tweets from the National Institute of Anthropology and History on X/Twitter.

26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards - Show - Source: Getty
26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards - Show - Source: Getty
"The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reports on the circulation on social networks of images related to the visit of the singer Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny, to the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA)."

The official account added:

"The visit took place on Wednesday, December 17. Throughout the tour, MNA security personnel were present. When the artist placed his hand on the stele, museum custody staff reiterated that the pieces could not be touched, to which the musician withdrew it."
Vogue World: Paris - Show - Source: Getty
Vogue World: Paris - Show - Source: Getty

Bad Bunny's picture touching the artifact was reportedly deleted.

As of press time, the MONACO hitmaker's account only contains one post, which is a teaser for his much-anticipated headlining act at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in Feb. 2026, making him the first artist to perform almost entirely in Spanish.


Bad Bunny named the most-streamed artist on Spotify Wrapped 2025

The museum incident comes weeks after Bad Bunny was announced the most-streamed artist by Spotify Wrapped 2025, leading the global roster, besting Taylor Swift (No. 2), The Weeknd (No. 3), Drake (No. 4), and Billie Eilish (No. 5).

Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, and Ariana Grande also made it to the rankings.

Bad Bunny's album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, also ranked first on the Global Top Albums of 2025, while his song DtMF secured the 5th spot on the Global Top Songs of 2025.

In November, Bad Bunny, who's been dubbed the "King of Latin Trap," won big at the Latin Grammys as he took home five accolades, such as the coveted Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, as well as Best Urban Music Album, Best Reggaeton Performance, and Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance.

As he gears up for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Vogue asked the artist about what to anticipate in his forthcoming performance and his career's near future following his recent milestones. But Bad Bunny only revealed:

"I know something's happening, but I don't know exactly what’s going to happen."

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Edited by Gladys Altamarino