Latinos and Extraterrestrial Life: A Cosmic Connection?

an image of a woman standing on top of a rock and looking up at the starry night sky

Ever looked up at the night sky and wondered if we're alone in the universe? Well, you're not the only one. This question has been tugging at human curiosity for ages, and it's a big deal in Latin America, where ancient civilizations were starstruck, and today, people continue to report UFO sightings (or, should we say, UAPs).

From the detailed carvings on the Mayan King Pakal's sarcophagus, nicknamed "The Palenque Astronaut," to the mysterious Nazca Lines in Peru, there are a ton of stories and artifacts that some think point to alien encounters.



King Pakal's sarcophagus

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

While these theories are more guesswork than fact and often stir up controversy, they offer a fascinating look into our desire to connect with the cosmos and the enduring appeal of the unknown.

Ancient Latin American civilizations, like the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas, had a deep fascination for astronomy. They meticulously studied the stars, planets, and celestial phenomena, enabling them to predict solar and lunar eclipses with remarkable accuracy.

The Mayans, for example, believed in a cosmic 'otherworld' full of gods and supernatural beings. They even included the Milky Way in their cosmology, which they pictured as a 'Great Celestial River.' Some scholars interpret their mythologies and astronomical wisdom as potential signs of extraterrestrial contact.

The Aztecs and Incas were also big on the cosmos. They believed in celestial gods, had complex calendars based on the stars, and built structures like the Intihuatana stone to predict solstices.

From ancient times to now, there have been many instances that have sparked debates and theories about potential alien connections:

The Palenque Astronaut, Mexico.

Roswell UFO Museum replica of the sarcophagus lid of Pakal the Great

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

The sarcophagus lid of Pakal the Great, found in the Temple of Inscriptions in the ancient city of Palenque, is one of the most iconic and debated artifacts of the Maya civilization. This intricately carved stone lid shows a complex scene that has been interpreted in various ways. At the center is King Pakal himself, surrounded by cosmological symbols and figures from Maya mythology.

Swiss author Erich von Däniken suggested that the depiction of Pakal looked like an astronaut in a spacecraft, manipulating controls, with an oxygen tube in his mouth, and surrounded by what seems to be flames or exhaust at the base. This interpretation has led to the nickname "The Palenque Astronaut" and has been popular in discussions about potential alien contact with ancient civilizations.

Nazca Lines, Peru.

an image of the nazca lines seen from above

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

The Nazca Lines are a series of large designs etched into the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. These designs form various shapes, including animals, plants, and geometric patterns. The majority of these can only be fully seen from the air, leading to theories that they were created for (or by) beings who could fly or even aliens.

Teotihuacan, Mexico.

an image of the pyramids of Teotihuacan in Mexico

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

The ancient city of Teotihuacan, renowned for its vast pyramids, is another site often associated with extraterrestrial theories. The city's advanced urban planning, architectural sophistication, and the alignment of its main avenue with the Orion constellation have led some to speculate about extraterrestrial influence.

El Enladrillado, Chile.

el enladrillado in chile

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

This is a flat plateau in the Andes Mountains made up of perfectly aligned blocks of stone. Some UFO enthusiasts believe it's a landing pad for alien spacecraft due to its remote location and the precision with which the stones are laid.

Tiahuanaco, Bolivia

an image of the Astronaut of Tiahuanaco

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

Near the shores of Lake Titicaca, there are ancient geoglyphs that some believe depict an alien being known as the "Astronaut of Tiahuanaco." The figure appears to be wearing what looks like a spacesuit, leading to speculation about extraterrestrial contact.

Machu Picchu, Peru

an image of the city of machu picchu

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

The construction of this Incan city, nestled high in the Andes Mountains, is a marvel of architecture and engineering. The precision of the stonework and the city's alignment with various astronomical events have sparked many theories about extraterrestrial involvement.

The Quimbaya Artifacts, Colombia

an imae of the quimbaya artifacts

https://commons.wikimedia.org/

These small gold pieces created by the Quimbaya civilization resemble modern aircraft, complete with wings and aerodynamic shapes. While most archaeologists believe they represent birds or insects, some theorists have suggested they could be models of ancient aircraft, possibly inspired by extraterrestrial technology.

Nowadays, the Latino community is still incredibly interested in the possibility of alien life. This interest is reflected in the numerous reports of UFOs across Latin America.

Some Latin American governments are even officially interested in UFOs. For example, the Chilean government has an official body, the Committee for the Study of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (CEFAA), dedicated to investigating UFO sightings. Similarly, the Peruvian Air Force has an office known as the Office of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena Research (OIFAA) for the same purpose.

The relationship between Latinos and alien life is a complex and fascinating one, rooted in ancient cosmologies and continuing into modern times. While there's no concrete evidence to suggest that these ancient civilizations had contact with aliens (maybe we've always been chingones like that, no alien intervention needed), their advanced astronomical knowledge and intricate cosmologies continue to inspire awe and speculation.

Today, the interest in alien life remains strong within the Latino community, reflected in reported UFO sightings and cultural expressions. As we continue to explore the cosmos, the possibility of discovering life beyond Earth remains an exciting prospect deeply embedded in the Latino cultural imagination.

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).