Paraguay Renews Demand for 'El Cristiano' War Cannon Held in Rio Museum
Paraguay's government has once again requested the return of 'El Cristiano,' a significant war cannon from the Paraguayan War, currently displayed at the National Historical Museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay issued a statement on Friday, indicating that Vice President Pedro Alliana and Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano presented a note to the Brazilian ambassador in Asunción. This note expressed "rejection" of recent remarks by Brazilian President Lula and formally requested the repatriation of war trophies seized by Brazil in the 19th century, including 'El Cristiano.' This is not the first time Paraguay has sought the cannon's return; the desire to repatriate the artifact, one of several taken by Brazil after defeating Francisco Solano López's troops in the 1870s, was also expressed by then-President-elect Santiago Peña in 2023. The recent escalation in the dispute followed a speech by President Lula in Jacareí, São Paulo, where he emphasized Brazil's commitment to national defense and referenced the Paraguayan War. Paraguayan officials described Brazil and Paraguay as "brother" nations and proposed a path to "definitively close the wounds" of the war. 'El Cristiano,' a 153-year-old howitzer, derives its name from the forge where bronze from Paraguayan church bells was melted to create the weapon. Weighing 12 tons and measuring 2.94 meters long and 1.34 meters wide, it bears an inscription linking religion and the state. Paraguay has claimed the cannon for over a decade, viewing it as a vital part of national memory and a symbol of collective effort during the conflict. Brazil also considers 'El Cristiano' part of its historical memory and it is protected by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN). The debate over returning war trophies involves complex issues of nationalism and the reinterpretation of historical artifacts, with no consensus among experts on the Paraguayan War. Historical accounts suggest the howitzer, originally named 'El Cristiano' (The Christian), was used at Fort Curupaiti and later at the London Battery in Humaitá. It arrived in Brazil in 1870, initially part of the War Arsenal and Military Museum, before being transferred to the National Historical Museum in 1922. The museum, which also displays other historical artillery, maintains 'El Cristiano' through daily and annual cleaning and waterproofing. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM, with free admission currently in celebration of its centenary.
The repeated diplomatic requests from Paraguay for the return of 'El Cristiano' highlight enduring national sentiments tied to historical artifacts from the Paraguayan War. Brazil's possession of these items, acquired through military victory over a century ago, represents a complex interplay of historical narrative, national identity, and international relations. The differing perspectives on 'El Cristiano'—viewed by Paraguay as a symbol of past unity and by Brazil as a historical trophy and protected heritage—underscore the challenge of reconciling national memories and the potential for such objects to become points of contention. As nations increasingly re-evaluate historical legacies and the symbolic weight of cultural property, discussions around repatriation are likely to intensify, prompting a need for frameworks that address historical grievances while respecting the preservation and accessibility of shared heritage.
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