Many Americans view guinea pigs as pets, especially for children. However, cultural perspectives on animals can differ. A video circulating online sparked strong reactions after it showed a group of men cooking guinea pigs in a street setting in New York.
The footage appeared to come from a live video before being reposted online. It is unclear whether the group themselves shared the video or if it was posted by someone else who questioned what was happening.
In the video, the group was seen grilling guinea pigs on sticks in a street setting. They were speaking Spanish, so it wasn’t clear what they were saying or whether anyone nearby was confronting them. While no confrontation appeared in the footage, many people online were quick to criticize what they saw.
In the United States, guinea pigs are commonly viewed as pets, but that is not the case in some cultures. In parts of Latin America, they are considered a traditional food known as cuy. As noted by Eat Peru, “Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly and eating one is like eating your pet dog. Or is it? Remember that even dogs are eaten in many countries and guinea pigs have been a source of nutritious food for the Inca for centuries. The little furry rodent became a pet in Europe and then the United States in the last couple of hundred years. Peruvians don’t keep cuy, as they’re called in Peru, as pets.”
The video sparked a broader conversation about cultural differences and how people view certain animals. While some viewers did not understand or accept those differences, others pointed out that practices vary across cultures. Unfortunately, the discussion also led to some racist comments directed at Hispanic communities, as well as calls for harsh consequences.
Reacting to the Group Cooking Guinea Pigs in New York
The video quickly sparked strong reactions online, with many expressing outrage. Some commenters called for harsh consequences. “Get these people out of my country‼‼” one person wrote. Another added, “Import the 3rd world. Become the 3rd world.”
Others referenced past political rhetoric while reacting to the situation. “He warned you, you didn’t listen,” one person wrote, referring to a previously circulated claim.
The responses highlighted how emotional and divided the discussion became, with some focusing on cultural differences while others reacted with anger.
More people continued expressing outrage, with some framing the situation as a cultural issue. “No need for it, in a first world country; plenty of other food available. This is both a display of defiance & a statement of wilful non-integration,” one person wrote.
Others raised concerns about how the animals were obtained. “Where did they get them? We only sell guinea pigs as pets. Pretty sure its illegal to buy something as a pet and then kill it…. Where the actual [expletive] is @peta when you need them?” another commenter said.
The video was shocking to many viewers, particularly because guinea pigs are commonly seen as pets in the United States rather than as a source of food.
