Museum or Institute? A Milei decree creates confusion about the future of the San Martiniano.

The Liberator José de San Martín is too important in Argentine and South American historiography for a presidential decree to be able to erase the Instituto Nacional Sanmartiniano (INS) and turn it into a museum with a stroke of the pen . Therefore, it is incomprehensible why such a statement could be made when, in the new organizational chart of the National Secretariat of Culture, headed by Leonardo Cifelli, contained in decree 531/25, signed on August 1 by President Javier Milei, it continues to appear as INS.

This is stated in two of the decree's seven annexes. The regulation defines the status and responsibilities of various cultural institutions that, with the loss of their autonomy or decentralization, become dependent on the Ministry of Culture.

This isn't news. Decree 531/25 is like a 1960s movie in continuous motion . It all began with the famous Ley Bases (Bases Law) and the adjustments and modifications undertaken in various areas of government by the Minister of Deregulation and Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger. In stages, institutions were closed and others merged, until arriving at the one we're interested in today: the Sanmartiniano (San Martiniano).

The institution's situation is becoming more relevant because on August 17th—just four days away—the 175th anniversary of General San Martín's passing into immortality is commemorated in Boulogne-sur-Mer , France. Nothing has been said about official events , floral offerings in Plaza San Martín, or a special commemorative event, given that the government wants to transform the Institute into a San Martín Museum.

Last night, official sources told us that "there will likely be actions in Plaza San Martín and the Cathedral." Nothing finalized yet.

We might assume that the conversion of the INS into a museum is intended to enhance and give greater visibility to the heritage , research, career, and achievements of the founding father of the nation. However, for the moment, the new organizational chart of the Ministry of Culture doesn't mention a single word about its transformation . What has changed is its administrative status.

Following the unexpected departure of retired lieutenant colonel and historian Claudio Morales Gorleri from the INS yesterday (whose management has been the subject of many under-the-radar complaints), the Undersecretariat of Cultural Heritage, headed by Liliana Barela, under whose National Directorate of Museums and Heritage Management, headed by María Paula Zingoni, the Institute depends, has reportedly appointed advisor Alejandro Fuentes “for a few days , until a director takes over who will be in the new museum that replaces the Institute,” undisputed sources told us.

What an incomprehensible plot! What museum is the Culture Department talking about if it's still listed as an Institute in the new organizational chart and two of the annexes to Milei's decree?

To add to the confusion, Morales Gorleri told some academics close to him: "Undersecretary Barela informed me that we are ceasing to operate as an INS and will become a museum whose director will be chosen by competition." One detail: for reasons of age, Morales Gorleri could not participate in the competition.

The outgoing academic, who had been appointed a year ago by the current administration, told fellow academics that "the ceremonies and exhibitions planned for this month are suspended . The activities that were held in our building (such as Academy meetings) are suspended until the new organization is formed."

Of course, the presidential decree leaves room for debate. Is it possible for a decree to modify a law passed by another republican power and subsequently promulgated and regulated? The San Martin National Institute was created unanimously by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Nation by Law No. 15,538 of 1960, which modified Decree Law 1368/58.

The regulation, which details the institution's responsibilities, was established as an official body under the Ministry of Education and Justice and opened the possibility of receiving private sponsorship when it met the objectives of the INS.

In addition to highlighting that the Institute's "primary purposes are the teaching and exaltation of the personality of the Liberator General José de San Martín , which must be carried out on a scientific basis," the law details that it is comprised of the San Martín Academy, the San Martín Extension Department, and the Federation of San Martín Cultural Associations. No one knows what the future holds for these entities.

Last night , some voices were raised among historians and academics regarding the profile of the "new director" of the INS-Museum. "The rumors indicate that it could be a woman ," other reliable sources told us.

It's not a bad idea. Many of the historical museums that are becoming vacant or have substitute leadership positions are or were led by women, whose management is highly worthy of mention. Several female directors were replaced by male directors.