Las Brujas del Mar has become a prominent name in Mexican feminism, sparking significant debate and influence. Known for their role in organizing the National Women’s Strike in 2020, this collective has garnered attention both for their activism and their controversial stances. In this post, we’ll explore five key moments and controversies that have defined Las Brujas del Mar, revealing the complex role they play in the feminist movement.

Why is Las Brujas del Mar Important?

Las Brujas del Mar have become a powerful influence in the landscape of Mexican feminism due to their ability to mobilize large numbers of people. Their involvement in organizing the Paro Nacional de Mujeres placed them at the center of the feminist conversation in Mexico. However, their questionable alliances and accusations of exclusionary feminism and transphobia have made them a polarizing force. Understanding their role is essential for anyone following the trajectory of feminist activism in Latin America.

5 Key Controversies Surrounding Las Brujas del Mar

1. The National Women’s Strike and Its Right-Wing Connections

On March 9, 2020, Las Brujas del Mar strategically launched the National Women’s Strike, capitalizing on their vast social media reach, connections with right-leaning women in exclusive circles, and their bold street-feminism aesthetic. The idea for the strike came from actress Vanessa Bauche and was first proposed on January 21, 2020, which happened to be Arussi Unda’s birthday. Unda, the spokesperson for the group, and the collective embraced Bauche’s idea and amplified the message, issuing a public call to action on February 18, coinciding with Bauche’s birthday.

Victor Yanez—Reuters

Previously, the group were primarily known in the Veracruz port region for their anti-trans stance and clashes with local feminists. However, the strike brought them into the national spotlight, with Arussi Unda being named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020. Their militant and enigmatic image resonated with emerging feminist activists, but Unda’s ties with the right-wing group Las Hijas de la Mx and her opposition to the 4T movement raised concerns. These connections gave Las Brujas del Mar a level of questionable legitimacy that other anti-trans groups lacked. While their role in organizing the strike was pivotal, their alliances with right-wing factions and their avoidance of contentious topics like abortion left many questioning whether their brand of feminism was inclusive enough to represent the broader feminist movement.

2. Accusations of Exclusionary Feminism and Double Standards

Critics have accused Las Brujas del Mar of promoting exclusionary practices within their brand of feminism by focusing primarily on white, heterosexual, bourgeois women in their activism. This approach has drawn backlash for marginalizing women from diverse backgrounds, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals. A significant example of this is their public comments about María Clemente García Moreno, a transgender rights activist and politician in Mexico. The group questioned García Moreno’s gender identity and qualifications for holding a plurinominal political seat, citing that the position was not elected, further exposing their transphobic tendencies.

It is okay—and it is necessary—to criticize public servants for their positions and actions, especially when they are not qualified to perform their duties. But what about dehumanizing them by attacking their identities? Transphobia is not justified, @brujasdelmar. Trans women are women.” Below the text, there is an English translation from Google Translate, as the original tweet was written in Spanish. The screenshot also includes the Las Brujas del Mar tweet, which criticizes María Clemente, a transgender politician, by stating she is not a woman, labeling her a “male client” and criticizing her political position and income. There is an eye-rolling emoji included in Las Brujas del Mar’s tweet. Both tweets have significant engagement, with the Las Brujas del Mar tweet showing 2.5k likes and multiple retweets.

However, their double standards became evident when it was revealed that María Elena Ríos, a close friend of the collective, was appointed as a plurinominal deputy for Morena without an election. Despite previously disqualifying García Moreno on similar grounds, Las Brujas del Mar refrained from passing any judgment on Ríos, even as she denied seeking a political candidacy.

These contradictions and their selective approach to feminist issues have raised questions about Las Brujas del Mar’s commitment to inclusivity. While they outwardly advocate for feminist causes, their actions reveal a more selective, exclusionary approach to activism.

3. Support for Anti-Trans Movements

Las Brujas del Mar has further deepened the divide within feminist circles by aligning with anti-trans movements. Their support for Laura Lecuona and her controversial book “Cuando lo Trans no es Transgresor” (When Trans is Not Transgressive) placed them squarely in the center of trans-exclusionary debates. Lecuona’s views on transgender women in female spaces and her opposition to banning conversion therapies for transgender children have sparked outrage, and Las Brujas del Mar’s backing of her work only intensified the backlash.

Feminist circles, particularly those advocating for trans rights, have issued warnings about the group’s alignment with anti-trans rhetoric. This controversy highlights a fundamental schism within modern feminism regarding inclusion and the rights of transgender individuals.

4. Misinformation and Online Aggression

Another major controversy surrounding Las Brujas del Mar involves their campaign of misinformation and online aggression. In one instance, they aligned themselves with controversial figures like JK Rowling and Elon Musk in an attack on Olympic boxer Imane Khelif. The collective falsely portrayed Khelif as a male boxer, questioning her legitimacy as a female competitor against Angela Carini.

A screenshot of a tweet from Las Brujas del Mar discussing a boxing match between Angela Carini (in blue, female) and Imane Khelif (in red, male) at the Olympic Games. The tweet, written in Spanish and accompanied by a Google-translated English version, criticizes the Olympic Committee for allowing a male boxer to fight a female athlete. According to the tweet, Angela Carini lasted 46 seconds in the ring before deciding to end the fight after being hit. The post quotes Angela’s words, “None giusto!” (It’s not fair!), expressing her frustration. The tweet includes hashtags supporting women’s sports, such as #JuegoLimpioParaLasMujeres, #FairPlayForWomen, and #SaveWomensSports. Below the tweet, a short video clip shows part of the match, with Angela Carini wearing blue boxing gear in the ring. The video has 788.2K views.

Despite overwhelming evidence disproving their claims, Las Brujas del Mar continued to spread hostility and refused to retract their statements. This incident not only damaged their credibility but also highlighted their tendency to persist in harmful narratives despite clear evidence to the contrary.

5. Alleged Coercion and Threats in the Tenoch Huerta Case

Perhaps one of the most troubling examples of Las Brujas del Mar’s actions involves their alleged coercion tactics during the Tenoch Huerta controversy. As actor Tenoch Huerta faced allegations from María Elena Ríos, Las Brujas del Mar became involved by threatening to reveal sensitive information that Ríos had shared with them. They allegedly used this bond as leverage, warning Huerta to remain silent or risk exposure.

Their threats didn’t stop there. Las Brujas del Mar also targeted journalist Claudia Mollinedo, accusing her and her team of re-victimizing Ríos during Huerta’s interview. Despite these accusations, Mollinedo countered by providing evidence that debunked Las Brujas del Mar’s claims. This series of events left many in the feminist community questioning the collective’s use of coercive and manipulative tactics.

Las Brujas del Mar’s Impact and Ongoing Controversy

Las Brujas del Mar has undeniably made an impact on Mexican feminism, but their exclusionary practices, questionable alliances, and aggressive tactics raise important concerns. Their actions show the complexity of navigating modern feminist movements, where inclusivity and integrity should be at the forefront. As the group continues to play a role in shaping the feminist conversation, it’s crucial to critically examine their actions to ensure that feminism remains a space that uplifts all women, regardless of their identity.

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