Claudia Curiel Denies Censorship in Panel Featuring Eduardo Matos Moctezuma

Mexico's federal Secretary of Culture, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, has firmly denied accusations of censorship surrounding a panel discussion that included renowned archaeologist Eduardo Matos Moctezuma and researcher Bolfy Cottom. The pair had alleged an attempt to censor the academic session titled "Cultural Heritage: Anthropology, History, and Legislation." In a statement, Curiel de Icaza asserted that freedom of expression, thought, research, and teaching are fundamental rights upheld by public servants and the government. "We will never close spaces or give instructions, as in past times, from higher instances, to silence critical voices, academic debates, or any idea," she stated, emphasizing that ideological disagreements would not lead to the suppression of discourse. The Secretary reaffirmed the Ministry of Culture's profound respect for Matos Moctezuma, recognizing him as one of Mexico's most important researchers whose work has been pivotal for national archaeology. His opinions, she added, are always heard with attention and respect. The controversy arose during the panel where Matos Moctezuma reportedly spoke about the precarious state of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the perceived lack of interest from authorities in culture and science. His presentation was based on a text originally intended for an event honoring Miguel León-Portilla, which was subsequently canceled. The text was later published in the magazine "Arqueología Mexicana." Matos Moctezuma had previously commented on a perceived decline in support for cultural and scientific institutions since 2018, citing significant budget reductions for entities like the Mexican Academies of History and Language, El Colegio Nacional, INAH, and INBAL. He contrasted this with the development of federal projects like the Maya Train, which he noted proceeded despite expert warnings about potential irreversible environmental damage.

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The freedom of expression, of thought, of research and of teaching are rights that we exercise and defend as public servants and as a government.