On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Mexico’s federal Secretary of Culture, Claudia Curiel, issued a formal demand to halt the auction of 33 Mexican archaeological artifacts scheduled for that day at the Millon auction house in Paris.

These pieces, spanning cultures such as the Maya, Olmec, Teotihuacan, Mexica, Totonac, and Chontal, are part of Mexico’s cultural heritage, according to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Their sale would violate laws protecting archaeological assets, prompting the government’s intervention under the campaign “My Heritage Is Not for Sale.”

The auction, titled “Tribal Addiction,” features 54 lots with Mexican artifacts expected to raise approximately 168,000 euros (over 3 million Mexican pesos). Among the most valuable items are a Teotihuacan mask, a Totonac statue depicting a ballplayer from Veracruz, and a domestic Maya axe.

Curiel framed the efforts to stop the auction as a state responsibility to preserve Mexico’s historical memory and the identities of its indigenous peoples. This move aligns with ongoing government actions against the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, reinforcing Mexico’s firm stance on protecting its archaeological sovereignty abroad.

Since 2018, Mexico has reclaimed around 16,500 cultural pieces through international campaigns and legal actions targeting auctions in cities like New York, Paris, and Rome. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to recover stolen or illegally exported artifacts and assert cultural rights on the global stage.

The Mexican authorities have appealed directly to the Paris auction house’s sensitivity, urging them to desist from trading objects that embody the legacy of Mexico’s original peoples. The fate of these lots remains under close scrutiny by Mexican cultural institutions committed to safeguarding the nation’s patrimony.

For migrants and international residents connected to Mexico, this ongoing fight highlights the importance of cultural heritage as a living link to identity and history—one that transcends borders and demands respect in every corner of the world.