In Tampico, Mexico, a local legend claims that an invisible underwater alien base has shielded the city from natural disasters since 1967.
Residents attribute their safety from extreme weather events to extraterrestrial guardians at the Amupac base off Miramar Beach, the Sun reported.
Tampico, a coastal city with a population of about 300,000, harbors a unique belief rooted in local lore and media. The concept of an extraterrestrial protective force entered public consciousness through a 1967 publication by El Sol de Tampico, sparking decades of folklore surrounding alien inhabitants.
Followers describe the alleged extraterrestrial facility, known as "Amupac," as an "intraterrestrial" and "multidimensional" zone beyond human visual perception. This legend took form amidst the 20th-century cultural fascination with UFOs and the unknown.
Advocates of the alien protection theory, such as Juan Carlos Ramón López Díaz, a prominent figure in local UFO research, assert their beliefs with conviction. López Díaz claims to have astrally visited this underwater base, describing it as a sanctuary created by slender, ten-foot-tall aliens with pale skin, using a metal alloy unknown to humanity.
The origin of this belief traces back to a specific event that was reported extensively in the region. The tale began to gain traction shortly after Hurricane Inez in 1966, a storm that devastated parts of Tampico, sparking heightened local interest in supernatural forms of protection.
According to local tradition, Tampico has been spared from severe weather events, including hurricanes common in this geographical region, since the establishment of Amupac. Many inhabitants see the absence of natural disasters as evidence of their extraterrestrial protectors' presence.
The most cited piece of evidence by believers is the trajectory of Tropical Storm Karl in 2013, which was projected to hit Tampico directly but instead veered away at the last moment. Many, like local resident Beatriz García, interpreted this incident as a clear sign of alien intervention. García expressed her unwavering belief that "the aliens are going to protect us," reflecting a sentiment shared by a significant portion of the community.
Not everyone accepts the alien theory as fact. Dr. Rosario Romero, a climate scientist, offers a contrasting viewpoint by attributing Tampico's recent lack of severe weather to natural climactic shifts rather than otherworldly interference. Romero points out that, contrary to some claims, the city did indeed experience serious flooding in 2013, highlighting selective memory among some believers.
Despite qualified skepticism, the fascination with extraterrestrials forms a substantial aspect of local culture. Tampico celebrates the purported alien protection annually on "Day of the Martian," blending festive joy with communal gratitude toward these unseen guardians.
Throughout the city, alien-themed decorations and merchandise further attest to the community's enchantment with their interstellar narrative. This mix of commerce and culture keeps the legend alive, weaving it into the fabric of everyday life in Tampico.
Before the widespread acceptance of the alien protectorate theory, Tampico was indeed more prone to violent weather patterns, particularly hurricanes. Historical data and resident anecdotes recall times when the city was less fortunate, with events like Hurricane Inez causing lasting damage.
Thus, whether seen through the lens of folklore or the framework of scientific skepticism, the story of Amupac presents a revealing glimpse into how communities cope with the forces of nature—be it through belief in extraterrestrial assistance or the recognition of meteorological science.
Marco Flores, a local historian, captures the essence of this phenomenon: "If science doesn't give us an explanation, we'll get it by magic. Fantasy is always more attractive than reality." This sentiment echoes through Tampico's streets, where the mysterious and the mystical meet the eyes of both believers and skeptics alike.
While the true origins and influences of the Amupac legend may remain as murky as the waters it supposedly resides under, the impact on the community is clear and as palpable as the Gulf breeze that sweeps through Tampico's lively avenues.
