'Aliens' Takeover Mexican Parliament?

The Mexican 'Alien' Saga: UFOs, Claims, and Scientific Skepticism

Claimed to “alien” corpses or “mummies” shown in the Mexico’s National Congress on 12th September, 2023

The Mexican Congress Incident: Fact or Fiction?

On September 12, 2023, the halls of the Mexican Congress reverberated not with matters of policy, but with something more extraordinary. Jaime Maussan, a self-proclaimed "ufologist," presented what he claimed were 1,000-year-old "alien" remains discovered near Peru's ancient Nazca Lines. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) was invoked for having supposedly dated these specimens, a claim they promptly denied, distancing themselves from Maussan's audacious if not outrageous assertions.

The incident has reignited public curiosity and debate, sparking a spectrum of reactions from outright dismissal to awestruck wonder. However, before we leap to conclusions, it's worth delving a bit deeper, albeit with a note of caution. In an age where augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) can create content as compelling as it is credible, we must exercise caution, lest we fall prey to what S.T. Coleridge described as the "willing suspension of disbelief."

This YouTube Shorts by Bilawal Sidhu garnered millions of views.

(https://youtube.com/shorts/LGKVoCbj84g?si=JcCURQPS-lwUq1h8)

Of UFOs and Aliens

UFOs and aliens have not only captured our imaginations but have also engendered serious debates among experts and laymen alike. The term "UFO" stands for Unidentified Flying Object, encapsulating anything in the sky that cannot be readily identified, from commercial aircraft to military drones and even natural phenomena. While aliens are conceptually regarded as beings from planets other than Earth, the term has become synonymous with the idea of technologically advanced life capable of interstellar travel. However, the scientific community has yet to provide irrefutable evidence supporting either the existence of extraterrestrial life or the identification of UFOs as alien spacecraft, despite numerous initiatives like the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and ongoing astrobiological research. As a result, while UFOs and aliens are entrenched in popular culture and the subject of many conspiracy theories, they remain enigmas in the realm of empirical science¹.

The Amalgamated Flying Saucer Club of America, which headquarters in Los Angeles, released this photo purportedly showing a flying saucer on June 16, 1963. (Courtesy: TIME magazine; February 25, 2016 edition)

Outrageous Claims and Government Response

The spectacle in Mexico's Congress spearheaded by Jaime Maussan is just one in a long line of audacious assertions concerning UFOs and extraterrestrial life. These claims frequently put governments in a delicate position. On one hand, there's a duty to maintain public order; on the other, there's the challenge of managing mass curiosity fueled by these sensational stories. In the United States, one notable example was the infamous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast in 1938. Orson Welles' dramatisation of an alien invasion led to widespread panic, convincing many listeners that an actual extraterrestrial invasion was underway. The incident forced U.S. government agencies to reconsider how they handle public communications concerning potential extraterrestrial threats or phenomena.

Since then, various government bodies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, have cautiously released classified information related to UFO sightings, but always with an emphasis on eliminating threats to national security rather than confirming extraterrestrial activity. Therefore, while sensational claims may captivate the public imagination, they also necessitate a measured and pragmatic governmental response aimed at maintaining both public order and rational discourse.

Roswell “flying saucer” report in 1947 had triggered UFO obsession.

Hoaxes and Conspiracy Theories

Ufology, the study of UFOs, has a long and complicated relationship with hoaxes and conspiracy theories. Perhaps the most well-known among them is the Roswell incident, which took place in July 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, USA. Initially reported as the recovery of a "flying disc," the U.S. military later clarified that the object was a weather balloon. Despite this, speculation and conspiracy theories took root, suggesting the government had captured an alien spacecraft and possibly even its occupants. Decades later, declassified documents revealed the "weather balloon" was part of a top-secret project called "Project Mogul," aimed at monitoring nuclear tests. However, the aura of secrecy and initial contradictions in the official statements have allowed Roswell to remain a focal point for UFO conspiracy theorists.

In more recent times, the advent of the internet and social media has led to the rapid spread of sensational videos purporting to show UFO sightings, many of which are later debunked as hoaxes or misunderstandings of natural phenomena. Jaime Maussan, the individual behind the recent spectacle in Mexico's Congress, is no stranger to this world. His previous claims, often debunked, have made him a controversial figure in ufology. Thus, while the topic of UFOs and aliens continues to intrigue the public, it is essential to approach such claims with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially when they defy scientific scrutiny.

July 1947 local press coverage of the Roswell Incident.

Possible Rational Explanations

The magnetic pull of enigmatic, ancient specimens often captivates public imagination, leading many to leap towards extraterrestrial explanations. However, more often than not, these phenomena have far more mundane origins. Take, for instance, the "alien autopsy" video that surfaced in the 1990s, claiming to show the dissection of an extraterrestrial being recovered from the Roswell incident. The video created quite a stir, but was later exposed as a hoax by its own creator, who admitted to using special effects and animal organs to create the illusion.

Similarly, purported "alien" remains have frequently been exposed as the mummified remains of children or animals. Without a rigorous, comprehensive analysis by credible scientific institutions, it's ill-advised to jump to fantastical conclusions. In this context, the recent claims presented before the Mexican Congress lack the empirical evidence necessary to be considered as anything more than an intriguing curiosity. Thus, while the allure of the unknown is compelling, the answers often lie within the realm of earthly, rational explanations, and should be treated as such until proven otherwise. As I often say, “There’s nothing supernatural; just super-normal.”

Roswell Incident 1947: US Air Force later confirmed the metallic pieces as belonging to a crashed weather balloon.

Looking Forward

The recent spectacle in Mexico serves as more than just another headline; it acts as a cautionary tale about the fine line between open inquiry and uncritical acceptance of sensational claims. That a person with a history of dubious claims was given a platform in a legislative body as august as Mexico's Congress raises questions about the vetting processes in place for the dissemination of such impactful information. Ideally, claims of this magnitude should undergo a thorough vetting process, subjected to peer review by the national and international scientific community, before being presented in such a high-stakes setting.

In an age where information travels faster than the speed of light through social media channels, the responsibility to separate fact from fiction lies not just with governments and their security agencies, but also with media outlets, academia, and indeed, the public at large. Agencies such as space and air forces should be prepared for these incidents, approaching them with a rigorous analytical framework rather than fanfare.

So, while claims of extraterrestrial life will no doubt continue to capture our imagination, they also serve as a call to action for all stakeholders to uphold the standards of scientific rigour, objective reporting, and responsible public engagement. Let us ensure that our quest for knowledge remains disciplined, tempered by both curiosity and caution².

1. https://time.com/4232540/history-ufo-sightings/

2. Another video generated by Bilawal Sidhu on his Twitter handle, on the Mexican Mummy incident.

https://x.com/bilawalsidhu/status/1701989139166670965?s=20