A recent opinion piece published in the Mexican newspaper El Universal turns to vivid imagery to make its point, nicknaming a political figure named Citlalli an “ave de tempestades”—literally, a “storm bird.” In Spanish-language commentary, this kind of animal metaphor is a common shorthand for someone seen as a harbinger of conflict or upheaval, much like calling someone a “lightning rod” in English.
The column appears under the recurring header “Serpientes y Escaleras” (Snakes and Ladders), a long-running political gossip and analysis section in the paper that uses the classic board game as a metaphor for the ups and downs of Mexican politics—climbing a ladder to power one day, sliding down a snake into scandal the next.
While the excerpt available doesn’t spell out the specific events prompting the comparison, the framing suggests the columnist sees this political figure at the center of brewing controversy or conflict within Mexico’s governing circles. Citlalli is a name associated with figures in Mexico’s ruling Morena party, though the piece doesn’t specify further details in the portion provided.
For readers interested in the full context and the columnist’s complete analysis, the original piece is available on El Universal’s opinion section.
Source: Citlalli, ave de tempestades (eluniversal.com.mx).
Image: irisb477, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).