No one saw it coming: overnight, several museums in Mexico City closed their doors, leaving chilangos unable to visit them. This Wednesday, June 4, these museums announced that they will remain closed indefinitely. But what do we really know about this closure?
The closure of museums, which hadn’t occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic, began on Tuesday, June 3, when some venues announced that, due to “force majeure,” they were closing their doors to residents of the capital, without specifying a reopening date.
These events have surprised chilangos, since Mexico City is, after London, the city with the second most museums in the world, with 170 such spaces and 43 galleries.
Which museums in Mexico City closed indefinitely?
The Museo de El Carmen announced through its social media that, due to “force majeure,” it will remain closed until further notice.
Other important cultural venues in Mexico City also announced the closure of their activities indefinitely. These include:
Chapultepec Castle
National Museum of Anthropology
National Museum of History
Templo Mayor Museum
“We regret to inform you that, due to force majeure, the museum will remain closed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding,” reads the message from the National Museum of Anthropology, which was recognized this Wednesday with the Princess of Asturias Award.
Following this statement, speculation has arisen on social media that the closure was due to a lack of security personnel; however, the museums have not specified the reason for their closures.
What did the INAH say about the closure of museums in Mexico City?
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reported that on May 30, 2025, the decision was issued for the federal public bidding process to contract security services at its facilities nationwide.
This process is part of an administrative change in the company responsible for providing security to the museums and cultural spaces under its care, which could be related to the recent temporary closures of several venues in Mexico City.
“As a result, the process of handing over security services to the awarded company began on Sunday, June 1. It should be noted that, given the specific characteristics of the venues, in the cases indicated, closure was scheduled for Tuesday, June 3,” the statement reads.
The institute stated that this process aims to “allow for an orderly transition of services so that, while always safeguarding the security of the heritage assets housed there, optimal conditions for serving the visiting public can be achieved.”
According to the INAH, the new security company has committed to having the necessary personnel in place to reopen the affected facilities starting Wednesday, June 4. In case of noncompliance, the agency warned, the corresponding administrative sanctions will be applied.
Source: elfinanciero
