Will Mexico's push for repatriation continue with the country's new government?

In October following Claudia Sheinbaum's inauguration, significant repatriations of cultural artefacts began, highlighting Mexico's ongoing efforts to reclaim its heritage. Notable returns included 84 green stone axes and other colonial period items facilitated by various countries. This momentum follows the previous administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, under which around 14,000 artefacts were successfully returned, bolstered by public campaigns promoting the importance of cultural heritage. Nonetheless, ongoing efforts to reclaim iconic items, such as Moctezuma's feather headdress, face challenges despite significant strides in the repatriation narrative.

Just a week after Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, took office, 84 Mesoamerican stone axes were repatriated, signaling a commitment to cultural heritage.

Under former president López Obrador, approximately 14,000 cultural objects were returned to Mexico, aided by initiatives like the #MiPatrimonioNoSeVende movement supporting heritage repatriation.

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