Venezuelan mayor arrested for slamming 'horrific' mural painted by autistic kids

The National Times - Venezuelan mayor arrested for slamming 'horrific' mural painted by autistic kids

Venezuelan mayor arrested for slamming 'horrific' mural painted by autistic kids / Photo: © Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power for Communication (MINCI)/AFP

A Venezuelan mayor was arrested Thursday on hate crime charges following an outcry after he described a mural painted by autistic children as "horrific."

Change text size:

Ernesto Paraqueima, mayor of the eastern city of El Tigre, was arrested for "promotion and incitement" of hatred, Attorney General Tarek William Saab said in a statement.

Paraqueima, who is not allied to the ruling party of President Nicolas Maduro nor the opposition, also stands accused of violating Venezuelan child protection and anti-discrimination laws.

He caused outrage by slagging off a mural painted on a city wall: a landscape of mountains with a blue sky, a rainbow and doves.

"Who painted that? Who painted that really horrific (thing)?... I'm told it was those people of the Asperger children. Who painted it? The children? What did they paint it with? Their feet? ...What a horrible, awful thing," he said in an audio clip that went viral on social media, using an outdated term related to autism.

Prosecutor Saab met with a parliamentary commission, its members mainly loyal to Maduro, who asked him to detain and investigate Paraqueima.

Before his arrest, the mayor said elements of the audio were taken out of context to put him in a bad light.

"I never intended to offend children with special conditions," he said. "I've always said they're super smart people."

Paraqueima is no stranger to controversy, having been accused in the past of making derogatory statements about women and Indigenous people.

C.Stevenson--TNT

ANC’s Renewal Rhetoric Fades as Voters Reject Party in 2026 Local Elections

After nearly twenty years of official pledges to reverse internal decay and restore public trust, the African National Congress (ANC) faces a stark reality check following the 2026 local government elections. The results indicate that South African voters no longer believe in the party's capacity for renewal, marking a significant shift from the era when the ANC maintained overwhelming electoral support despite early warnings of structural crisis.

Cuban Diplomat Warns U.S. Blockade Is Severing People-to-People Ties

Cuban diplomat Gabriela Castillo warns that escalating U.S. sanctions are severing vital human connections between the two nations, particularly affecting academic exchanges and longstanding solidarity with African American communities. She argues that political coercion is inflicting collective punishment on Cuban civilians while erasing opportunities for mutual understanding.

Home Affairs Deploys AI to Clear Asylum Backlog Amid Staffing Crisis

The South African Department of Home Affairs has launched a new digital platform utilizing artificial intelligence and biometric technology to overhaul the country’s asylum process. The initiative aims to resolve a severe operational bottleneck, as only nine officials were managing thousands of outstanding appeals at the start of the current administration. Officials warn that registering an intention to apply does not grant automatic protection against immigration enforcement.

Ian Borg Honoured by Palestinian and Arab League Ambassadors for Palestine Support

Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg has been presented with a commemorative plaque by the ambassadors of Palestine and the Arab League to Malta. The honour recognizes his support for Arab causes during his tenure as Foreign Minister, particularly regarding Malta’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine.