Mexican authorities are accusing Adidas of plagiarizing artisans in southern Mexico a new sandal design appearing strikingly similar to the criss-crossed leather in indigenous footwear known as huaraches.

The controversy has fueled accusations of cultural appropriation by the footwear brand and comments by authorities that this is not the first time traditional Mexican handicrafts have been copied.

Local authorities even asked Adidas to withdraw the shoe model.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that the Adidas was already in talks with local authorities in the southern Mexican state to provide “compensation for the people who were plagiarized,” and noted her government was preparing legal reforms to prevent the copying of Mexican handicrafts.

"They often take products, ideas, and designs from Indigenous communities in our country," Sheinbaum said during a media briefing.

The design at the center of the controversy is the “Oaxaca Slip-On,” made by American designer Willy Chavarría for Adidas Originals.

The sandals are made of thin leather straps braided together in a style unmistakably similar to the Mexican huarache sandals. Instead of flat leather soles, the Adidas shoes tout a more chunky, sports shoe sole, intended to be a more modern touch on the traditional design.

According to Mexican authorities, the multinational’s design contains elements that form part of the cultural heritage of the Zapotec Indigenous communities in Oaxaca, particularly in the town of Villa Hidalgo de Yalálag.

Adidas did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Authorities in Oaxaca have called on called for the model to be withdrawn and demanded a public apology from Adidas, with a number of officials describing the design as “cultural appropriation."