In September 2023, the Mexican Congress made headlines worldwide by hosting an unprecedented public hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), commonly referred to as UFOs. This historic event, held in Mexico City, marked the first time Mexican lawmakers formally engaged with the topic of extraterrestrial life, sparking intense debate, fascination, and skepticism. The session, led by controversial journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan, featured the presentation of alleged “non-human” remains, igniting a firestorm of reactions from scientists, policymakers, and the public. This article delves into the details of the hearings, examines the claims made, explores the cultural and historical context of UFO fascination in Mexico, and situates the event within the broader global conversation about extraterrestrial life.

The Mexican Congressional Hearing: A Historic Moment

On September 12, 2023, the lower chamber of Mexico’s Congress convened a groundbreaking session to discuss the possibility of extraterrestrial existence. Researchers from Mexico, the United States, Japan, and Brazil testified before lawmakers, presenting evidence and arguments to support the notion that humanity may not be alone in the universe. The hearing, which lasted over three hours, was spearheaded by Congressman Sergio Gutiérrez Luna of the ruling Morena party, who emphasized the importance of transparent dialogue and open-mindedness. Gutiérrez Luna clarified that Congress was not endorsing any specific claims but was committed to hearing “all voices, all opinions” on the subject.

The session came on the heels of a similar event in the United States, where, in July 2023, retired Major David Grusch testified before a U.S. House Oversight subcommittee, alleging that the U.S. government has been concealing a program to retrieve and reverse-engineer unidentified flying objects since the 1930s. The Mexican hearing, however, took a more theatrical turn, as Jaime Maussan, a self-described ufologist with a long history of controversial claims, presented two small, shriveled bodies in glass cases, which he described as “non-human beings that are not part of our terrestrial evolution.”

Jaime Maussan’s Presentation: The Alleged Alien Corpses

The centerpiece of the hearing was Maussan’s unveiling of two mummified figures, each with elongated heads, three-fingered hands, and a humanoid but distinctly non-human appearance. Maussan claimed these specimens were discovered in 2017 in the sandy deserts of Nazca, Peru, a region famous for its ancient geoglyphs, known as the Nazca Lines. According to Maussan, carbon-14 dating conducted by Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) indicated that the remains were approximately 1,000 years old. He asserted that the bodies were not related to any known terrestrial species, suggesting they could be evidence of extraterrestrial life.

“It’s the queen of all evidence,” Maussan declared during the hearing. “If the DNA is showing us that they are non-human beings and that there is nothing that looks like this in the world, we should take it as such.”

Maussan was cautious not to explicitly label the specimens as “extraterrestrials,” instead urging further scientific investigation to determine their origins. He claimed that X-rays of one of the bodies revealed the presence of eggs, suggesting the possibility of reproduction, and that the figures were intact, non-manipulated corpses rather than mummies or constructed artifacts. The presentation included videos of Mexican pilots encountering fast-moving, unexplained objects in the sky, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue.

The Nazca Connection: A Historical and Cultural Context

The alleged discovery of the bodies in Nazca, Peru, added a layer of cultural and historical significance to Maussan’s claims. The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a series of massive geoglyphs etched into the desert floor, depicting animals, plants, and geometric shapes. Created by the Nazca culture between 500 BCE and 500 CE, these figures are visible only from the air, leading some to speculate that they were designed for or by extraterrestrial visitors. While mainstream archaeologists attribute the lines to ancient religious or astronomical practices, their enigmatic nature has made Nazca a focal point for UFO enthusiasts and alternative historians.

The region’s association with extraterrestrial theories gained traction in the 20th century, particularly through the work of Swiss author Erich von Däniken, whose 1968 book Chariots of the Gods? popularized the idea that ancient civilizations were influenced by alien visitors. Von Däniken pointed to the Nazca Lines as evidence of advanced technology, suggesting they served as landing strips or signals for extraterrestrial spacecraft. While his theories have been widely debunked by scholars, they have left a lasting imprint on popular culture, particularly in Latin America, where ancient ruins and indigenous traditions often intersect with modern UFO lore.

In this context, Maussan’s claim of finding “non-human” remains in Nazca tapped into a rich vein of speculation and fascination. The region’s history as a hotspot for alternative archaeology made it a plausible backdrop for such a sensational presentation, even if the scientific community remained skeptical.

The Backlash: Scientific Skepticism and Peruvian Concerns

While Maussan’s presentation captivated the public and sparked a frenzy on social media, it was met with swift and vehement criticism from scientists and international observers. Experts questioned the authenticity of the alleged alien corpses, pointing to Maussan’s history of promoting dubious claims. In 2017, Maussan made similar assertions about “alien” remains found in Peru, only for a report by the Peruvian prosecutor’s office to conclude that the figures were “recently manufactured dolls” covered with paper and synthetic glue to mimic skin. The report explicitly stated that the bodies were not of extraterrestrial origin, raising doubts about the specimens presented in 2023.

Peru’s Culture Minister, Leslie Urteaga, expressed outrage over the Mexican hearing, questioning how the artifacts had been removed from Peru without proper authorization. She revealed that a criminal complaint had been filed against individuals associated with Maussan, highlighting concerns about the illicit trade of cultural artifacts. The Nazca region, a protected archaeological site, is subject to strict regulations to preserve its heritage, and the removal of any remains—human or otherwise—would violate Peruvian law.

Scientists in Mexico were equally dismissive. Antígona Segura, a prominent Mexican astrobiologist, called the presentation “shameful” and argued that Maussan’s claims lacked any credible evidence. UNAM, the institution cited by Maussan for the carbon-14 dating, issued a statement clarifying that its National Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry with Accelerators (LEMA) had only analyzed the age of the samples, not their origin or composition. The university distanced itself from Maussan’s conclusions, emphasizing that it had not examined the full specimens or endorsed the idea that they were non-human.

Ryan Graves, a former U.S. Navy pilot who also testified at the hearing about his encounters with UAP, later condemned Maussan’s presentation as an “unsubstantiated stunt.” In a post on X, Graves expressed disappointment, stating that the display of the alleged alien bodies undermined the credibility of the broader discussion about UAP and aerospace safety. His remarks underscored a growing tension between serious UAP research and sensationalist claims that risk alienating the scientific community.

The Global Context: A Surge in UAP Interest

The Mexican hearing was not an isolated event but part of a broader global resurgence of interest in UAP and extraterrestrial life. In the United States, the topic has gained unprecedented legitimacy in recent years, driven by declassified military footage, congressional hearings, and public testimony from credible witnesses. In 2020, the Pentagon released three videos showing UAP captured by Navy pilots, prompting the establishment of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to investigate such phenomena. A 2021 Pentagon report documented 144 UAP incidents, most of which remained unexplained, fueling speculation about advanced technology or non-human origins.

The U.S. Congress hearing in July 2023, where David Grusch made his explosive claims, marked a turning point in the public discourse. Grusch alleged that the U.S. government possessed “non-human biologics” recovered from UAP crash sites, though he provided no physical evidence and deflected many questions, citing classified information. His testimony, alongside that of Ryan Graves and retired Navy Commander David Fravor, who described encounters with objects exhibiting extraordinary capabilities, lent credibility to the idea that governments may know more about UAP than they disclose.

NASA, too, has entered the fray, releasing a report in September 2023—coincidentally, the day after the Mexican hearing—that found no conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial origins for UAP but called for more rigorous scientific study. The agency appointed its first director of UAP research, signaling a shift from dismissal to cautious inquiry. This growing institutional interest reflects a broader cultural shift, as public fascination with UFOs, once relegated to the fringes, moves into the mainstream.

Mexico’s Cultural Fascination with the Extraterrestrial

Mexico’s engagement with the UFO phenomenon is deeply rooted in its cultural and historical landscape. The country has a rich tradition of mysticism and storytelling, from the ancient myths of the Maya and Aztec civilizations to modern folklore involving creatures like the chupacabra. The idea of extraterrestrial visitors resonates with Mexico’s history of blending indigenous beliefs with external influences, a legacy of its colonial past and ongoing cultural syncretism.

In recent years, Mexican presidents have occasionally fueled speculation about otherworldly phenomena. In 2023, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador shared a photograph on social media of what he claimed was an “alux,” a mischievous elflike creature from Maya folklore, perched in a tree. While the image was widely mocked as a publicity stunt, it highlighted the president’s penchant for embracing mystical narratives, which may have contributed to the willingness of Mexican lawmakers to entertain a public discussion on UFOs.

Mexico’s media landscape has also played a significant role in shaping public perceptions of extraterrestrials. Jaime Maussan, a former sports journalist turned UFO researcher, has been a prominent figure in this space for decades. His television programs and public appearances have kept the topic alive in the national consciousness, even as his claims have often been met with skepticism. The 2023 hearing, broadcast live and widely shared on social media, tapped into this cultural fascination, transforming a niche topic into a national spectacle.

The Science of Extraterrestrial Life: Where Do We Stand?

The search for extraterrestrial life is one of the most profound questions in modern science, encompassing disciplines from astrobiology to astrophysics. Scientists have long explored the possibility of life beyond Earth, focusing on environments like Mars, the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and exoplanets in distant star systems. The discovery of extremophiles—organisms thriving in Earth’s harshest environments—has expanded our understanding of where life might exist, while advances in telescope technology have enabled the detection of potentially habitable exoplanets.

However, the leap from microbial life to intelligent, humanoid beings capable of interstellar travel is vast, and no credible evidence of such beings has been found. The Fermi Paradox—the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of contact—remains a central puzzle. Theories ranging from the “Great Filter” hypothesis to the possibility that intelligent life is exceedingly rare continue to shape the debate.

In the context of the Mexican hearing, the scientific community’s rejection of Maussan’s claims reflects a broader commitment to evidence-based inquiry. Carbon-14 dating, while useful for determining the age of organic material, cannot confirm extraterrestrial origins without comprehensive genetic and morphological analysis. The lack of peer-reviewed studies, transparent methodology, or independent verification of Maussan’s specimens underscores the gap between sensational claims and rigorous science.

The Role of Media and Public Perception

The Mexican UFO hearing was as much a media event as a scientific one, amplified by the power of social media. Clips of Maussan’s presentation, particularly the unveiling of the alleged alien corpses, went viral, generating millions of views and heated debates. For some, the images were compelling evidence of extraterrestrial life; for others, they were a theatrical stunt designed to capture attention. The polarized reactions highlight the challenges of discussing UAP in an era of information overload, where credible evidence often competes with misinformation and spectacle.

The media’s role in shaping public perception of UFOs has a long history. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Roswell incident in New Mexico became a cornerstone of UFO lore, fueled by newspaper reports and subsequent books and documentaries. Hollywood has also played a significant role, with films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial embedding the image of small, gray, big-headed aliens in the popular imagination. Maussan’s specimens, with their stereotypical “alien” appearance, seemed almost tailor-made for this cultural archetype, raising suspicions about their authenticity.

The Aftermath: A Second Hearing and Ongoing Controversy

In November 2023, the Mexican Congress held a second hearing on extraterrestrial life, again featuring Jaime Maussan and his team. This session, which took place less than three weeks after the devastating Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco, drew criticism for diverting attention from pressing national issues. Maussan doubled down on his claims, presenting additional evidence and testimony from Peruvian doctors, but the event was widely seen as a continuation of the earlier spectacle. International ridicule persisted, with critics arguing that the hearings undermined Mexico’s credibility on the global stage.

Despite the controversy, the hearings succeeded in keeping the UFO conversation alive. Congressman Gutiérrez Luna expressed hope that the sessions would pave the way for further discussions, emphasizing the need for open dialogue. For supporters of UAP research, the Mexican hearings, flaws and all, represented a bold step toward destigmatizing the topic and encouraging governments to engage with it transparently.

Conclusion: Balancing Curiosity and Skepticism

The Mexican Congressional UFO hearings of 2023 were a fascinating blend of science, spectacle, and cultural intrigue. Jaime Maussan’s presentation of alleged “non-human” remains captured the world’s attention, but it also highlighted the challenges of separating fact from fiction in the search for extraterrestrial life. While the scientific community dismissed the claims as fraudulent or unsubstantiated, the hearings tapped into a deep human curiosity about the cosmos and our place within it.

Mexico’s engagement with the UFO phenomenon reflects a broader global shift, as governments, scientists, and the public grapple with questions about UAP and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors. The hearings, for all their controversy, underscored the importance of rigorous inquiry, transparent dialogue, and critical thinking in addressing one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone? As the search for answers continues, the balance between open-mindedness and skepticism will be crucial in navigating the uncharted territory of the unknown.