The ever-fascinating question of whether we are alone in the universe has resurfaced with a curious development.
Back in September, the world's attention turned to Mexico, as the nation's congress was shown "1,000-year-old corpses" that were potentially "non-human".
Mexican lawmakers heard testimony from journalist and long-time UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan, who unveiled two caskets that contained tiny, human-shaped figures. Maussan claimed these remains were that of "non-human" beings that perished around 1,000 years ago.
They were allegedly found in a diatom mine in Cusco, Peru.
"It's the queen of all evidence. That is, if the DNA is showing us that they are non-human beings and that there is nothing that looks like this in the world, we should take it as such," Maussan told the Mexican Congress. "It is the most important thing that has happened to humanity."
The tiny "humanoids" left social media abuzz, as experts, fanatics, and skeptics pined for answers.
Further tests, conducted by José Zalce Benitez - the director of the Health Sciences Research Institute - revealed that the alleged aliens belong to a single skeleton and human objects are not part of their design.
One of the specimens "was alive, was intact, was biological and was in gestation," according to Benitez, which hinted that they could be harboring eggs, as reported by the New York Post. Benitez concluded that these specimens have "no relation to human beings".
And this week, Maussan once again appeared in front of the Mexican Congress to reveal the alleged results of DNA testing on the "corpses".
Appearing alongside Mexican researchers, Maussan said the tests show that 30 percent of the DNA is "not from any known species" - with the team adding that the beings were "authentic".
Per the Daily Star, he continued: "This is the first time extraterrestrial life has been presented in this manner.
"We have a clear example of non-human specimens unrelated to any known species on our planet. The public has the right to know about non-human technology and beings. This reality unites humanity rather than dividing us. We are not alone in this vast universe; we should embrace this truth.
"These specimens do not belong to our terrestrial evolution. They were not creatures discovered after a UFO crash. Instead, they were found in diatom mines and later transformed into fossilized mummies."
Of course, this is not Maussan's first rodeo. Back in 2015, he claimed to have discovered a mummified alien body, which according to fact-checking website Snopes, was proven false... it was a small human child. Professor Fierro humorously noted: "He [Maussan] has told me many times that people from other worlds never visit me because I don't believe they exist."
Additionally, Peruvian bio-anthropologist Elsa Tomasto-Cagigao also hit out at the publicity Maussan's "discovery" was getting. Per Reuters, she said: "What we said before still stands, they are presenting the same rehash as always and if there are people that keep believing that, what can we do?"
"It is so crass and so simple that there is nothing more to add," she added.
Another critic was Navy Lt. Ryan Graves, who wrote on X: "After the U.S. Congressional UFO hearing, I accepted an invitation to testify before the Mexican Congress hoping to keep up the momentum of government interest in pilot experiences with UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena).
"Unfortunately, yesterday's demonstration was a huge step backwards for this issue. My testimony centered on sharing my experience and the UAP reports I hear from commercial and military aircrew through ASA's witness program.
"I will continue to raise awareness of UAP as an urgent matter of aerospace safety, national security, and science, but I am deeply disappointed by this unsubstantiated stunt."
And Jonti Horner, an astrobiologist at the University of Southern Queensland, reacted skeptically, stating via ABC.net.au, "I tend to think if it looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is."
And despite the intrigue surrounding the alleged aliens, Maussan has found himself in hot water with Peruvian officials after a criminal probe was launched into his actions.
