Andina

Peru receives two valuable cultural assets voluntarily returned by U.S. Army Gen family

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru

11:05 | Washington, D.C. (U.S.), Jul. 17.

Peruvian Ambassador to the United States, Alfredo Ferrero, received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) two valuable cultural assets that were voluntarily returned by Russell McNellis and Jane Riley, grandson and daughter of U.S. Army General Russell McNellis.

General McNellis served on a special military mission in the South American country in the early 1940s.

The assets —which were delivered during the ceremony commemorating Peru's 203rd Independence Anniversary— belong to the pre-Hispanic Chimu culture —a style developed on the northern Peruvian coast between 1000 and 1476 AD.

Ambassador Ferrero highlighted this gesture that strengthens the bilateral relationship and reaffirms Peru's commitment to continue strengthening work with the United States in order to confront illegal trafficking of cultural heritage.

Similarly, the envoy thanked the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department, represented by FBI Office in Peru's Legal Attaché Norman Quilichini, for the efforts undertaken.

In turn, FBI Legal Attaché Quilichini stressed that the event has a very special meaning for the joint efforts towards the recovery and voluntary return of Peruvian cultural heritage from the United States, particularly the importance of enforcing the bilateral agreement on Cultural Heritage.

Similarly, he highlighted the strong bonds between Peru and the United States since World War II.

General McNellis —who served as advisor to the Peruvian Military College of Veterinary Sciences between 1942 and 1945— received these cultural assets from the former Vice-President of the Republic, Rafael Larco Herrera.

The senior military officer played a leading role in promoting a strong relationship with Peru during World War II.

Among his achievements, the fact that he established the first National Veterinary College in Peru in 1944 stands out.

(END) NDP/RMCH/JCR/MVB

Published: 7/17/2024