Albuquerque, NM — In a significant display of global collaboration and the safeguarding of culture, the FBI has officially handed back a historic map known as “Villa de Santa Fe” to the Government of Mexico during a ceremonial event that took place today in Albuquerque. This map, which was stolen in 2011, has been retrieved thanks to a coordinated investigative effort and is now being returned to its rightful place.
This rare document, originating from Mexico’s colonial period, is thought to have profound historical connections to both Mexico and the American Southwest, especially due to its association with the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a trade and cultural route that for centuries connected Mexico City to northern New Mexico.
“On behalf of the FBI, it is my honor to return this historical artifact to the people of Mexico,” said Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office. “The FBI is committed to returning stolen art and other objects of cultural and historical significance to the communities to which they belong.”
Patricia Pinzón, the Consul of Mexico in Albuquerque, represented the Mexican government and marked the occasion as more than a mere return—it symbolized a reaffirmation of the profound cultural connections between Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. “The handover of the Villa de Santa Fe map is a symbol of Mexico’s commitment to safeguarding its historical and cultural heritage, as well as the value of binational cooperation,” said Pinzón. “This document not only enriches our collective memory but also strengthens the bonds that unite us with New Mexico through a shared history.”
Scholars Highlight the Map’s Cultural Importance
The ceremony featured remarks from distinguished scholars and preservationists who discussed the map’s conservation status, historical value, and its place in the narrative of transcontinental connection between Mexico and the present-day United States:
- Lic. Mariana Gayosso, Director of Research, Assessment, and Certification of Cultural Heritage at Mexico’s National Archives (AGN), provided insights into the map’s historical origins and recovery process.
- Dr. Frances Hayashida, Director of the Latin American & Iberian Institute at the University of New Mexico (UNM), spoke about the significance of cross-border cultural ties.
- Dr. Manuel García y Griego, Associate Professor of History at UNM, explored the map’s historical importance to Santa Fe and New Mexico.
- Dr. Joseph P. Sánchez, Director Emeritus of UNM’s Spanish Colonial Research Center, emphasized the document’s link to the Camino Real and its role in shaping early colonial life in the Southwest.
Preserving the Past, Strengthening the Future
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic handover of the map, underscoring the shared responsibility between nations to protect cultural artifacts and historical records.
The Villa de Santa Fe map’s return is part of a larger global initiative to combat the theft and trafficking of cultural property. The FBI’s Art Crime Team, established in 2004, has recovered thousands of stolen items, from paintings and manuscripts to religious relics and archaeological treasures.
