The Ministry of Culture of Peru announced on May 13 that Minister Fátima Altabás Kajatt led a working agenda in Iquitos during the first Regional State Council, an event headed by President José María Balcázar. The purpose was to coordinate actions between the national government and regional and local authorities to promote priority projects for the benefit of Loreto’s population.
This initiative is significant as it aims to enhance collaboration between key governmental bodies for safeguarding Peru’s cultural assets. The Ministry signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Defense through the Peruvian Navy aboard the Fluvial Gunboat América, now serving as Barco Museo América – Estación Clavero in Iquitos.
The agreement seeks to establish mechanisms for coordination and joint action focused on protecting, valuing, and promoting National Cultural Heritage while strengthening maritime awareness and cultural identity across Peru. Commitments include support from the Peruvian Navy in research, documentation, conservation, protection, recovery efforts related to cultural heritage, as well as prevention against illicit trafficking of cultural goods. It also provides for collaborative museum management projects that will help safeguard historical, archaeological, and underwater heritage within each institution’s responsibilities.
As a first step following this agreement, officials are considering adding Cañonera Fluvial América at Estación Naval Clavero in Iquitos to the National Register of Public and Private Museums. This process is currently under technical and administrative review for formalization.
During her visit, Minister Altabás was joined by Maynas Provincial Mayor Paola Bances Chávez on tours of Casa Núñez (now Hotel Época), ex Hotel Palace, and Casa de Fierro—properties declared National Cultural Heritage—to assess their condition and plan future preservation efforts. Both parties agreed to strengthen technical assistance for protecting Iquitos’ monumental zone and advance new projects related to managing provincial cultural heritage.
The Ministry fosters social inclusion by protecting heritage and promoting diversity throughout Peru; it operates decentralized facilities alongside its San Borja headquarters; belongs to the Executive Branch as an autonomous ministry; promotes identity while combating discrimination; serves communities nationwide; all under ministerial leadership according to the official website.
