Museum protesters in Colombia accuse gov’t of erasing history
Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters outside Colombia's National Museum in Bogota after the Culture Ministry ordered the removal of 30 exhibition pieces on LGBTQ rights, feminist struggles and assassinated political leaders.
The removal specifically targeted exhibits addressing LGBTQ rights, feminist movements, and assassinated political figures, sparking immediate backlash from activists and cultural workers who gathered at the museum to protest the decision.
The confrontation occurred on October 19, 2026, when authorities deployed riot control measures against demonstrators who refused to disperse peacefully, escalating tensions between cultural institutions and the government.
The incident reflects broader debates in Colombia about historical representation and the role of museums in preserving contested narratives, with protesters arguing the removal constitutes an attempt to sanitize the country's complex past.
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