The Qhara Qhara nation
The Qhara Qhara Nation, also known as the Qhara Qhara people, is an indigenous group in Bolivia. They are part of the broader indigenous peoples of the Andean region. The Qhara Qhara are primarily located in the highland region of Bolivia, particularly in the department of Potosí and Chuquisaca. The Qhara Qhara people have a rich cultural and a historical background. Historically, they have been associated with the mining town of Potosí, which was a major center for silver mining during the Spanish colonial period. The indigenous populations, including the Qhara Qhara, played a crucial role in the mining industry but also faced various challenges and exploitation under colonial rule. Currently, the Qhara Qhara people claim the treasure of San José Galeon, which is valued at an incredible 20 Billion dollars. In addition to them, Spain also claims the treasure of the Spanish ship sunk in 1708 by the British.
Capitulation of Potosi
On April 1, 1545, Spaniards led by Juan de Villarroel seized Cerro Rico de Potosí after discovering a large silver vein. This discovery spurred rapid growth in Potosí, with hastily constructed houses to accommodate miners and their families.
Although initially under the governance of La Plata, Potosí attained autonomy in 1561 and became the Imperial Villa of Potosí. This transformation was achieved through a capitulation signed by the Viceroy of Peru, Diego López de Zúñiga y Velasco, Count of Nieva. The capitulation ensured Potosí's exemption from La Plata's jurisdiction and established its own government.
The terms of the capitulation included the election of mayors and councilors, as well as the administration of certain rights and responsibilities by the Potosí council. Additionally, Juan Cortez was appointed as Corregidor of Potosí and La Plata.
On January 10, 1562, representatives from Lima arrived in Potosí with documents confirming the city's autonomy. They celebrated their newfound independence, marking the beginning of a new era for Potosí as a significant mining center in South America.
Cerro del Potosí
"The excessive exploitation of minerals began in 1545 and continues to the present. Caro mentions a study that established that from 1545 to 1872, silver production reached 30,640 Fine Metric Tons while another says that between 1545 and 1824 it was 985,102. 151 troy ounces".
Samuel Tikas Chacana - Qhara Qhara Leader
Potosi interview RTVE
with Samuel Flores Cruz and others
Historical Reencounter of the Qhara Qhara Indigenous Nation, the true owners of the cargo of the San Jose
Since the arrival of the Spaniards in the Andean region, now called South America, to the majestic Waka or goddess of the natives, known as Cerro de Potosí belonging to the Qhara Qhara Nation in the 16th century to the present day, whose unpublished manifesto in the demand by the Indians represented by the native kuracas, whose support in the memorial of Charcas of 1582, this demand filed for the violation of their ancestors and abuses committed in the inhumane exploitation in the mines and mills of Potosí, whose silver and other metals, melted and coined into coins, bars or ingots, registered in the coffers of the mint, left by land from the town or council of Potosí, towards Arica or Callao, later transferred in the fleets to Portovelo, from there departing in galleons headed towards Havana and then towards Spain whose support are the logs of the Silver route, it is in that sense according to the registration data of collections of 1705, 1706, and 1707, whose cargo as coins, ingots or bars departed from the town of Potosí, this according to the urgency of His Majesty the King of Spain, likewise, the loan of the Qhara Qhara Indians from the rates of territorial contribution was recorded, in whose cargo is the collection deposited in the ship galleon San José, which was the flagship of the Armada commanded by José Fernández de Santillán, Count of Casa Alegre, who, having left Portobelo bound for Cadiz with stops planned in Cartagena and Havana, sank under the harassment of the English fleet commanded by Charles Wager, on June 8, 1708. This news reached the town or council of Potosí on November 27, 1708, where evidence of the tragedy, the direction of the shipwreck, and the number of people who suffered, the amount of silver cargo between 5 to 6 million coins of silver and gold and other species.
The remains of the galleon were found on November 27, 2015, in territorial waters of Colombia (coasts of Cartagena de Indias). The Qhara Qhara Nation, considering that the wreckage of the galleon is partly made up of goods from its territory and with which it has not only a material but also a cultural and spiritual connection, presented a request to the President of the Republic of Colombia in 2017, requesting the return of the resources that belonged to them in the wreckage of the mentioned galleon.
In 2018, in a meeting with the Minister of Culture, a historical record was made, manifesting the points of concern for its protection and its participation in the rescue. Subsequently, different administrative and legal processes have been initiated for the protection of the wreckage and its rescue, between the periods from 2019 to the present, whose advances in the recognition of the claim were orally expressed in Spain on May 2, 2023, by the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who categorically stated, "He added that there is an indigenous community in Bolivia 'that claims something,' but the gold is from Colombia, so he assured that one way to 'share' profits would be through a museum."
Continuing with the rescue procedures according to a plan executed by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH), the presentation and participation of the Qhara Qhara nation in the international dialogue between February 22 and 23, 2024, in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, where different approaches for rescue will be defined scientifically and administratively. The procedure or management for this event between the indigenous people and the government of Colombia is coordinated by the Minister of Culture of Colombia.
Bibliographic reference:
Prof. Waldemar Espinosa Soriano – Charcas Memorial
Technical report: Anthropological Historical Experts of Qhara Qhara Suyu Hrnos Samuel & Nicolas.
