The director of the Museum of Memory resigned, after only two months in office

Laura María Ortiz, director of the Museum of Memory, resigned and will be there until March 31, as announced in her letter of resignation last March 24, which she sent to Darío Acevedo, general director of the National Center for Historical Memory (CNMH).

The reason for his retirement is not known at this time. Ortiz had barely been director of the museum for two months, since she took office last January 28. He previously worked at the Center for Memory, Peace and Reconciliation, run by José Antequera in Bogotá.

It should be recalled that Ortiz came to the entity after Laura Montoya resigned from the management of the Museum, because, according to her, there was sabotage for the performance of her duties in office. It is noteworthy that he spent only five months in those tasks.

Another person who went through that position was Fabio Bernal, who spent more than a year. The first director was Rafael Tamayo, who also resigned. The problem is the lack of stability of the Museum, a fact that worries its employees.

In addition, they had already sent a letter stating that “in the face of constant changes in the technical director over the last three years, the technical team has been forced to work in a scenario of instability and uncertainty”.

They added that “the lack of continuity in the processes of the Technical Directorate results in the fragility of the project that seeks to build a Museum of Memory for the victims of the internal armed conflict, putting its consolidation and social legitimacy at risk.”

When Laura Montoya resigned, the official said that the physical construction of that museum barely exceeded 15% of execution. At the time, he argued that “these circumstances have deteriorated working conditions and allowed for breaches of my dignity on the part of some managers of the Center,” says Montoya Vélez. He adds that “the general director withdrew his support for my management and henceforth focused on making all the actions of the Technical Directorate difficult”.

“Impersonating roles or exceeding my functions is not my task, so I can show that all my actions at the Museum are within my functions and that I have proceeded in fulfilling them,” added Montoya.

The former official denounced that according to the commitment of the General Directorate of the Center, the exhibitions that should be exhibited in the future Museum are not ready either.

It is noteworthy that the Museum of Memory of Colombia articulates the plural memories of all the victims of the internal armed conflict with the construction of the future as a nation. It is a symbol of reconciliation, a memorial of recognition of victims and a place for meeting and exchange that encourages the overcoming of violence.

Currently, construction of the building, on 26th Street and Las Americas Avenue, is underway. Parallel to this, the commitment continues to strengthen its territorial dimension throughout the country and its virtual dimension, even outside Colombia.

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