Mexico’s Education System Faces Backlash Over ‘Therian’ Illustrations

Mexico’s recently updated educational materials are sparking controversy after illustrations depicting children with animalistic features – linked to the “therian” subculture – surfaced in a third-grade textbook. The inclusion has ignited debate over identity, indoctrination, and the direction of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government.

What is the Controversy?

Illustrations appearing on pages 114-127 of the third-grade “Community Projects” textbook, published by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), depict children wearing animal masks. Critics argue these images promote “identity confusion” by normalizing the “therian” phenomenon – where individuals identify as non-human animals. Opponents claim the books are ideologically driven, potentially indoctrinating students with progressive political ideas.

The “Therian” Subculture

The therian subculture, which originated in the 1990s but has gained visibility through social media, involves individuals who identify as having a spiritual or psychological connection with an animal. A gathering of therians was recently held at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), marking the first official in-person meeting of the community in the country. The event included a “therian race” and participants expressing their “theriotype” through costumes and sounds.

Political Fallout and Key Figures

The controversy coincides with the dismissal of Marx Arriaga Navarro, the former general director of Educational Materials at the SEP. Arriaga was responsible for designing books aligned with the New Mexican School (NEM) project, a key initiative of the Andrés Manuel López Obrador administration. Opposition parties, including the National Action Party (PAN), the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), publicly denounced Arriaga’s management and, in some cases, prohibited the distribution of his books.

Sheinbaum’s Response and Broader Implications

While some reports suggest there is “no evidence” directly linking the textbook content to the promotion of the therian subculture, the issue has created challenges for President Sheinbaum’s administration. Arriaga reportedly resisted requests to modify textbook content to include greater representation of women in history, citing concerns about deviating from the “progressive and critical” principles of the NEM. The situation highlights a broader concern about ideological influences within the Mexican education system and the potential for classrooms to be used for political indoctrination, a pattern observed in other leftist governments like those in Cuba and Venezuela.

Recent Developments

On February 18, 2026, the head of the U.S. Southern Command visited Venezuela to evaluate security and plans reportedly proposed by Donald Trump. President Sheinbaum is reportedly “cleaning house and consolidating power,” potentially in response to pressure from Washington to address concerns about cartel activity in Mexico [Brookings].