Colombian president removes museum exhibits deemed communist

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 22:32 · Archive

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has removed dozens of exhibits from the National Museum in Bogotá, describing the action as a cultural 'counterrevolution'. He says he wants to prevent cultural institutions from being taken over by what he calls 'atheist social communism'. The removed exhibits addressed the history of social movements, including feminist and LGBTQ+ activism, and Colombia's political violence.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the museum on Wednesday to protest the removals, with riot police guarding its entrance. Civil rights groups, artists and students have accused the government of censorship and warned that important parts of the country's history could be erased. Azul Riascos, a history student, said: 'I find it outrageous that they want to erase part of our history.' He said the government was promoting a vision of Colombia as exclusively white, Catholic and Spanish-speaking that excluded Black, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities.

De la Espriella, a conservative Trump ally, has drawn comparisons to U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to reshape how museums present history. Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, director for the Andes at the Washington Office on Latin America, said the Colombian government's approach reflects a broader trend among Trump allies who are copying U.S. political narratives and strategies.

How it is being reported

• Trump-allied Colombian president removes art exhibits he deems communist, sparking protestsColombian President Abelardo de la Espriella says he is leading a cultural shift by removing exhibits from the National Museum.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 22:08
• Trump-allied Colombian president removes art exhibits he deems communist, sparking protestsColombian President Abelardo de la Espriella says he is leading a cultural shift by removing exhibits from the National Museum.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 22:08

In this story: Abelardo de la Espriella · Donald Trump · Colombia · Bogotá · National Museum · Washington Office on Latin America

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