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 freedom, a symbol of the Havana store chain, was turned by strong wind gusts during a violent storm. The video from the moment of the collapse went viral.
Event Details
The replica, measuring about 24-40 meters high, stood in front of one of Havana's stores since 2020. The storm that hit the region brought winds of up to about 88 km/h, causing significant damage to the area. On a viral video published on platform X (formerly Twitter) by the BNODesk account, you can see how the statue wobbles and then flips over to the parking lot, surrounded by a cloud of dust. In the background there are signs of McDonald’s network and other elements of the urban landscape, which added to the surreality event.
Guaíby's mayor, Marcelo Maranata, confirmed the fall of the monument, emphasizing that no one suffered from the incident. Strong winds also caused other damage in the city, such as fallen trees and power outages.
Background and symbolism
The Statue of Liberty replica was one of the characteristic elements of the Havana network, a Brazilian commercial giant who has similar installations in several locations. It symbolized freedom and the American dream, adapted to the local commercial context. The fall of the statue quickly became a metaphor for current events in the world – netizens commented on it as a "sign of times" or "fall of freedom".
Reactions and consequences
The event quickly went to the media worldwide, from British "The Sun" to Indian NDTV. Many have seen a symbolic dimension, especially in the context of global political and economic tensions.
The Guaíby authorities have announced a damage assessment and a possible reconstruction of the replica, although the priority for the moment is to remove the effects of the storm. The incident reminds us of the strength of nature.
