On Monday, December 15, 2025, in the city of Guaíba in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of the Havan store chain, was knocked over by strong gusts of wind during a violent storm. Footage of the moment it fell went viral online.
Details of the incident
The replica, roughly 24-40 metres tall, had stood in front of one of the Havan stores since 2020. The storm that hit the region brought winds of up to about 88 km/h, causing considerable damage in the area. In a viral video posted on the platform X (formerly Twitter) by the account BNODesk, the statue can be seen wobbling and then toppling onto a car park, enveloped in a cloud of dust. In the background are McDonald’s signs and other elements of the urban landscape, which gave the event a surreal character.
Guaíba’s mayor, Marcelo Maranata, confirmed the monument’s fall, stressing that no one was injured in the incident. The strong winds also caused other damage in the city, such as fallen trees and power outages.
Background and symbolism
The replica of the Statue of Liberty was one of the distinctive features of Havan, a Brazilian retail giant that has similar installations in several locations. It symbolised freedom and the American dream, adapted to the local commercial context. The toppling quickly became a metaphor for current events in the world, with internet users commenting on it as a „sign of the times” or „the fall of freedom”.
Reactions and consequences
The event quickly reached media around the world, from the British „The Sun” to India’s NDTV. Many people saw a symbolic dimension in it, especially in the context of global political and economic tensions.
Guaíba’s authorities announced an assessment of the damage and a possible rebuilding of the replica, although for now the priority is clearing the effects of the storm. The incident is a reminder of the power of nature.
