Mexican leftist senators defend battering Trump pinata

MEXICO CITY – Senators from Mexico’s leftist Democratic Revolution Party are defending a private party at which they took turns whacking a pinata in the shape of U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump.

Pinatas are a traditional part of Christmas festivities in Mexico, and the party’s leader in the Senate says it was just a bit of holiday fun.

In a video, Sen. Miguel Barbosa can be heard telling his colleagues to “send a greeting to Donald” before hitting the figure with a stick.

Those present also chorused an anti-gay chant traditionally yelled by Mexican soccer fans that has made the national team subject to fines.

A former Mexican ambassador to the U.S. calls the incident “regrettable.” Arturo Sarukhan writes that “we need professionalism, seriousness and statesmanship to face the challenges that are coming.”