Authorities inaugurated a 32-meter statue of the Virgin of Mercy at the El Chorrito sanctuary in Hidalgo, Tamaulipas, as part of the Virgin's Day commemorations. The structure, designed to withstand hurricanes, was created by sculptor Elizabet Pesquero after three years of work.
On December 12, as part of the Virgin of Guadalupe Day commemorations, Tamaulipas Governor Américo Villarreal Anaya led the inauguration ceremony of the monumental statue of the Virgin of Mercy at the El Chorrito tourist center in Hidalgo municipality. This 32-meter-tall effigy, mounted on a two-meter base, was constructed from stainless steel and carbon steel, featuring engineering designed to endure hurricane impacts, which are frequent in the area. Sculptor Elizabet Pesquero spent three years crafting it, establishing it as a new visual landmark two hours north of Ciudad Victoria.
Thousands of faithful gathered at this site of significant Catholic devotion, renowned for the tradition of the Virgin's appearance among the rocks of a local cave. The event, blending religious and official elements, was attended by Father Rogelio Colunga García, the sanctuary's parish priest, the mayor of Hidalgo, and other local officials.
In his address, Governor Villarreal Anaya portrayed the statue as a symbol of spiritual identity and regional revitalization: "The new image of the virgin, more than a work, is a renewed symbol of spiritual identity in Tamaulipas (...) Today here in El Chorrito, we witness how its values are strengthened and give a new identity to this region." He connected the inauguration to 'Mexican humanism,' highlighting its contribution to fostering unity and hope in the state.
