The Ministry of Cultures, Decolonization, and Depatriarchalization (Spanish: Ministerio de Culturas, Descolonización, y Despatriarcalización) is the ministry of the government of Bolivia that provides for the preservation and protection of the cultures and artistic expressions of the indigenous peoples of Bolivia as well as promotes the country's tourism sector and process of decolonization and depatriarchalization.
History The history of the Ministry of Cultures began with the establishment of the Bolivian Institute of Culture (IBC) by President Hugo Banzer on 14 March 1975. The IBC —later renamed as the Secretariat of Culture— was a dependent entity of the Ministry of Education and Cultures, granted jurisdiction over the National Archives of Sucre, the Casa de la Libertad, and the Casa de la Moneda in Potosí. During Banzer's second presidency from 1997 to 2001, the secretariat was further elevated to the status of a vice ministry.
In 2006, during the early government of President Evo Morales —Bolivia's first indigenous president— the office was expanded as the Vice Ministry of Cultural Development. On 7 February 2009, through Chapter XX of Supreme Decree N° 29894 on the Organizational Structure of the Executive Body of the Plurinational State, Morales formed the Ministry of Cultures. The until-then vice minister Pablo Groux was appointed to head the ministry. With the enactment of the General Law of Tourism "Bolivia Awaits You", the cultures portfolio was expanded, and it was named the Ministry of Cultures and Tourism for the duration of Morales' term.
The transitional government of Jeanine Áñez eliminated the portfolio on 4 June 2020 to preserve funds to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision criticized by both the opposition and members of Morales' Movement for Socialism (MAS-IPSP). After the return to power of the MAS in that year's general elections, President Luis Arce restored the office as the Ministry of Cultures, Decolonization, and Depatriarchalization on 13 November 2020.
Following the election of Rodrigo Paz Pereira as President in the 2025 Bolivian general election, the Ministry was replaced by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/rodrigo-paz-define-gabinete-fusion-ministerios-equilibrio-tecnica-politica_1762569059
List of ministers Portfolio Minister Party Took office Left office Term President Minister of Cultures bgcolor="#EAECF0" colspan="6" Morales Pablo Groux Ind. Jrnl. 8 February 2009 23 January 2010 Zulma Yugar MAS Mus. 23 January 2010 15 February 2011 Elizabeth Salguero MAS Jrnl. 15 February 2011 23 January 2012 Pablo Groux Ind. Jrnl. 23 January 2012 25 September 2012 Minister of Culturesand Tourism 25 September 2012 19 February 2015 Marko Machicao MAS Eco. 19 February 2015 23 January 2017 Wilma Alanoca MAS Jrnl. 23 January 2017 10 November 2019 bgcolor="#EAECF0" colspan="6" Áñez Martha Yujra MDS Uni. 14 November 2019 4 June 2020 bgcolor="#EAECF0" colspan="7" rowspan=2 Arce Minister of Cultures,Decolonization, andDepatriarchalization bgcolor="#EAECF0" colspan="6" Sabina Orellana MAS Uni. 13 November 2020 Incumbent
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