Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Miley Cyrus could be sanctioned for Mexican flag spanking: 'It's a lack of respect'

A Mexican state legislature has called for the nation’s government to fine the singer

Ella Alexander
Friday 19 September 2014 00:16 BST
Comments
Miley Cyrus is trying to prove her musical credentials
Miley Cyrus is trying to prove her musical credentials (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Miley Cyrus is in trouble in Mexico, after “desecrating” its flag during a performance in Monterrey.

A Mexican state legislature has called for the singer to be fined, after one of her dancers spanked her (prosthetic) backside using the Mexican flag, while she was on stage in the northern state of Nuevo León on Mexican Independence Day.

This didn't go down well and local lawmaker Francisco Trevino said the Nuevo León state legislature has approved a warrant for the interior ministry to enforce the law. Cyrus could be detained for 36 hours or be fined for around $1,200.

“They are hitting her with the flag, or cleaning her backside. It's a lack of respect,” said Trevino. “The interior ministry must sanction the singer Miley Cyrus for desecrating the flag.”

Mexican officials are known for being sensitive about showing respect for national symbols; in 2008, singer Paulina Rubio was fined $4,000 for posing nude on a magazine, wearing only the Mexican flag.

This isn’t the first time Cyrus has had fallen foul of flag protocol – in June, she attracted criticism after waving the wrong flag at a concert in Spain.

The Bangerz singer was playing in Barcelona, the capital of independence-seeking Catalonia, when she flew the flag of a different would-be independent nation – the Basque Country.

The red, green and white ikurriña flag is the symbol of the Basque Country and is seldom seen in Barcelona – until Cyrus arrived.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in