So it symbolizes and celebrates a nation of slavers who regularly committed mass human sacrifice.

I asked my friend from Mexico about this statue and received the following response:

"The giant alebrijes placed in the Rockefeller Center in New York are the work of Oaxacan artisans Jacobo and María Ángeles, from the municipality of San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca Mexico. The Workshop of Mexican artists Jacobo and María Ángeles created two "Guardians" to live in New York City, as part of a series called "Nomads." "The jaguar is cautious and strategic, fighting for its herd during the day and watchful at night. " The eagle, with its force of flight, keeps its sight on the horizon towards the future, safeguarding the future of the tribe.

The mission of both sculptures is "to accompany and protect all Latin American, Mexican and Oaxacan migrants who live or are about to arrive in the United States seeking a better future for their tribes." The figures "keep everything that the tribe considers valuable: its traditions, customs and cultural identity." They offer "security in all wars and adversities that nomads go through on their journey" and protect "the essence" of each traveler. These guardians, an Eagle and a Jaguar, protect travelers on earth and in the skies, since "they are hybrid beings, very resistant and strong." It should be noted that the presence of Oaxacan alebrijes in New York City is possible thanks to the event "Mexico Week: Day of the Dead at Rockefeller Center" promoted by the Consulate General of Mexico in New York, through its cultural institute."

That's what I thought when I saw it. Definitely Pre-Colombian Mexican Jaguar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_jaguar_gods

https://infogalactic.com/info/Jaguars_in_Mesoamerican_cultures