On Thursday, a 71-year-old tourist from Argentina was arrested by the Municipal Guard in Crato, Brazil, after she vandalized a statue of Father Cícero, a revered religious figure in the region. The incident occurred around 1:20 PM and was captured by security cameras, which showed her approaching the statue with a bag and a suitcase. Initially, she used her bag to hit the statue and subsequently used her hands to push it over, resulting in its destruction. The statue is significant to the local culture and community, making the act of vandalism particularly impactful.

The tourist, who hails from Córdoba, Argentina, was reportedly visiting the Cariri region for a religious pilgrimage with her daughter. The two were at the bus station preparing to travel to São Paulo, and then on to Foz do Iguaçu, a tourist destination at the border with Argentina. This suggests that the tourist may have had no prior knowledge of the significance of the statue, although her actions have raised questions about respect for local customs and cultural heritage, especially by visitors.

Following the incident, she was detained and taken to the Crato Civil Police Station, where she denied any responsibility for the damages. However, the evidence from the surveillance footage contradicted her claims, indicating that she deliberately vandalized the statue. This incident highlights issues related to tourism, cultural sensitivity, and the protection of local historical sites in Brazil.