Adidas is in talks with the Oaxaca government about sandals inspired by the huaraches of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag.

MEXICO CITY.Mexico City.- This Friday, during the usual morning press conference of the president of Mexico , Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo , it was reported that the sports company Adidas contacted the Government of Oaxaca to address the controversy over the launch of the brand's new model, ' Oaxaca Slip On ', which is inspired by the Mexican huarache of the community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag .

"Adidas has already contacted the Oaxaca state government and will begin talks. They have the support of the Ministry of Culture through the National Copyright Institute (Indautor), as required by the Cultural Heritage Law ," reported Marina Núñez Bespalova , Undersecretary of Cultural Development, during the presidential conference.

#VIDEO : The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Marina Núñez Bespalova, confirmed that the Adidas brand and the designer Willy Chavarría, of North American origin, committed cultural misappropriation of the traditional design of the huaraches of Villa Hidalgo #Yalálag , #Oaxaca . pic.twitter.com/4GF9ECv3tp

— More News Oaxaca (@Masnoticias0ax) August 8, 2025

For her part, Claudia Sheinbaum stated that huaraches are " collective intellectual property ," and therefore "there must be compensation. The Heritage Law must be complied with."

He stated that if the talks between the company and the government are not resolved, legal avenues would be taken, which are currently being studied.

In addition, it was announced that a law is being drafted to strengthen the current law on heritage protection.

➡️ President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo assured that compensation is being sought for the indigenous community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, in response to the plagiarism of traditional huaraches made by the Adidas brand and designer Willy Chavarria.

📹 Special pic.twitter.com/e01zBPrmRk