From the ICOM Regional Alliance for Latin America and the Caribbean, and its 19 National Committees, we affirm that we are not indifferent to the alarming increase in conflicts and the weakening of international negotiation mechanisms, as well as international humanitarian law and human rights. This situation places humanity—and with it, its heritage and memory—at risk.

Within ICOM LAC, we firmly believe in the value of dialogue and in recognizing others as equals, with dignity, rights, and responsibilities. Words remain an essential tool to call upon reason and to resist the dehumanization of life, and to prevent the destruction of archives, libraries, and museums, which bear witness to our existence. Preserving memory and transmitting it to future generations is non-negotiable.

For these reasons, we reiterate the calls and statements issued by ICOM since 2024, in particular the “Statement on the protection of archives, libraries, museums and heritage sites in situations of armed conflict and political instability,” which underscores the collective responsibility to safeguard heritage as an essential part of the memory and identity of peoples.

We condemn the loss of human life and reaffirm that the protection of all people must remain the priority. We also condemn attacks against and the destruction of museums, archives, libraries, and heritage sites, as they constitute a vital and unique part of the culture of the communities affected by conflict. In these emergency situations, our libraries, museums, archives, and heritage sites have demonstrated the important role they play in safeguarding both tangible and intangible cultural heritage and in strengthening community cohesion (ICA, ICOM, ICOMOS and IFLA, 2024).

We urge the governments of our region, regardless of their positions on geopolitical crises, to firmly advocate for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, respect for multilateral institutions, and the protection of the universal framework of human rights.

We also recall ICOM’s call to all parties involved to respect their obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Protocols, and to comply with international legal frameworks aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage (ICOM, 2026).

We stand in solidarity with the millions of people who are suffering today, living in fear and facing profound uncertainty. We reiterate, with humility but with conviction, that we are not indifferent to their pain. Although the geopolitical future of the world is not in our hands, as museum professionals we recognize our responsibility and our potential as agents of transformation and promoters of social justice. We commit to contributing, through our daily work, to the construction of a culture of peace.

In this spirit, we join the call of this year’s International Museum Day, “Museums Uniting a Divided World,” and reaffirm our capacity and duty to help unite humanity—so richly diverse—around peace, harmony, and the common good. We will continue building this commitment  through heritage, memory, and museums.

Signed by:
ICOM LAC

ICOM Barbados

ICOM Bolivia

ICOM Brazil

ICOM Chile

ICOM Colombia

ICOM Costa Rica

ICOM Cuba

ICOM Ecuador

ICOM El Salvador

ICOM Guatemala

ICOM Mexico

ICOM Panama

ICOM Peru

ICOM Paraguay

ICOM Dominican Republic

ICOM Uruguay

ICOM Venezuela