FBI Repays Historical Debt: Stolen Cortés Document Returned to Mexico

The FBI has successfully repatriated a stolen 500-year-old document to Mexico, shedding light on historical ties and exploration.

In a significant gesture towards cultural diplomacy, the FBI has returned a historically invaluable document to Mexico. This 500-year-old manuscript, signed by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, was penned in 1527 and is part of a larger collection believed to have been stolen from Mexico's national archives between 1985 and 1993. The repatriated page, detailing payments for supplies for Cortés's expeditions, was recently discovered in the U.S. and handed back to Mexican authorities.

Hernán Cortés, known for his role in the fall of the Aztec Empire, has left a lasting mark on history, and this document sheds light on his plans for exploration across what would be known as New Spain. This colony, at its peak, spanned a vast area of western and central North America, extending into parts of Latin America. The manuscript reflects Cortés's governance of New Spain and contains intricate details regarding financial allocations for exploratory journeys, including a quest for the coveted "spice lands" of Asia.

The FBI's commitment to returning stolen cultural assets emerged after the Mexican government enlisted their art crime team for assistance in 2024, revealing that 15 pages from Cortés's collection had gone missing during archival processes. Archival markings from the 1980s led to the conclusion that the manuscript had been taken during a specific time frame. Although the FBI has not disclosed details about where the page was found, they confirmed that it had passed through multiple owners during its absence.

Special Agent Jessica Dittmer of the FBI's art crime team commented that the document reflects essential aspects of historical planning and exploration preparations. Despite political tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over various issues, including tariffs and migration, this act of goodwill underscores the U.S.'s responsibility as a significant consumer of antiquities to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage.

The FBI emphasized its ongoing goal to recover the remaining missing pages from the Cortés collection and continue fostering cultural ties through the return of historical artifacts. Notably, a separate document signed by Cortés was also returned to Mexico by the FBI in 2023, highlighting a growing trend of cultural repatriation initiatives.