08:51 | Washington D.C. (U.S.), Mar. 31.
A total of 48 pieces of Peru's cultural heritage have been recovered from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Las Vegas, Nevada, due to coordinated efforts between the Peruvian Embassy in the United States and officials from the
Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Art Crime Team.
After the seizure of the items, the FBI secured them through an extensive legal process that confirmed their ownership by the Peruvian State.
The recovered objects include colonial paintings, textiles, silver ornaments, ceramics, and items made from precious materials, as well as pieces associated with important pre-Columbian cultures such as Chancay.
The Peruvian Embassy confirmed that it has received the cultural artifacts, spanning both pre-Columbian and colonial periods, thereby restoring an important part of Peru's ancestral memory and national identity.
"This achievement reflects the close and effective collaboration between the Peruvian Embassy and U.S. federal agencies to safeguard Peru's invaluable cultural heritage," the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a
press release.
According to Peru's Ambassador, Alfredo Ferrero, the recovered items will serve as a tangible example of bilateral cooperation during an upcoming workshop on preventing illicit trafficking of cultural property.
The event will be organized by the U.S. Embassy in Lima in collaboration with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture.
Coordination and cooperation
"Repatriations like this require coordination and collaboration among various national and international entities, and we are happy to see these items returned home so that they can be further appreciated and enjoyed," he added.
The recovery of these cultural items reflects the strong and ongoing cooperation between Peru and the United States in protecting shared heritage.
As both countries mark 200 years of diplomatic relations, "this joint effort underscores the depth of our partnership and our shared commitment to combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property; each piece returned to Peru reaffirms our identity and history."
(END) NDP/CCH/MVB
Published: 3/31/2026