Foreign Affairs Minister Hugo de Zela handed over to Culture Minister Fatima Altabas a batch of 169 Cultural Heritage of the Nation items repatriated by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
These items were returned to the country following successful diplomatic efforts in Argentina, Luxembourg, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, and Türkiye.
The first delivery of repatriated cultural property in 2026 reflects the close coordination between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, supported by the Peruvian National Police and the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office), along with valuable cooperation from foreign authorities.
“In this instance, there are items returned by the authorities of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Luxembourg, and Italy, as well as voluntary handovers by citizens committed to historical preservation,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a press release.
Peru’s leadership
During a ceremony held at Torre Tagle Palace in Lima on Friday, Minister De Zela highlighted Peru’s international leadership in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property, describing it as one of the region’s most robust frameworks for protection and repatriation.
The government official noted that 74% of the items correspond to voluntary returns, underscoring the impact of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s awareness efforts to promote a deeper understanding of the harm caused by the removal of these pieces.
In turn, the Culture minister stressed that Peru has repatriated 1,753 cultural items since 2023. She mentioned that more than 1,000 pieces returned to the country in 2025 alone.
“These results reflect sustained intersectoral effort,” Altabas emphasized.
“By recovering these assets, we reaffirm the bond that unites us as a country and the value of a heritage we share,” she added.
Cultural assets
Among the recovered items, a Moche-style necklace (200 BC–AD 600) stands out, crafted from semi-precious stones and gilded metal, repatriated from Türkiye.
The batch also includes pieces from the Nazca, Vicus, Tiahuanaco, Wari, Chancay, Lambayeque, Chimu and Inca traditions, such as vessels, textiles, and metalwork.
An 1869 military ordinance record linked to Enrique Bolognesi, a hero of the defense of Lima, is especially noteworthy.
This repatriation reaffirms the Peruvian State’s policy in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural assets.
“With this ceremony, the Foreign Affairs Ministry reinforces its commitment to the recovery of our cultural heritage, which strengthens national identity upon returning to its place of origin,” the government agency stated.
(END) NDP/CCH/MVB
Publicado: 28/3/2026
