La protección del patrimonio cultural sumergido en el Derecho Marítimo, análisis de dimensiones Jurídico - Administrativas y Ambientales Caso Galeón San José
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Fecha
2025
Autores
De la Rosa Yaruro, Laura Catalina
Sotelo Aragón, Fabiana Melissa
Valiente Ortiz, María Camila
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Ediciones Universidad Simón Bolívar
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Resumen
En este estudio se analizó la preservación del patrimonio cultural sumergido en Colombia a partir del caso del Galeón San José, entendido no sólo como un hallazgo arqueológico de alto valor histórico, sino como un símbolo que concentró la memoria colectiva y evidenció profundas tensiones entre intereses jurídicos, políticos, ambientales y económicos. El Galeón San José se constituyó en un punto de convergencia de debates sobre soberanía cultural, gestión del patrimonio, explotación económica y responsabilidad estatal frente a bienes que hacen parte de la historia común de la nación.
La investigación mostró cómo la ausencia de reglas claras y plenamente armonizadas, las disputas entre instituciones del Estado, la presión de actores privados y la fragilidad de los ecosistemas marinos dificultaron la construcción de un modelo de conservación coherente, sostenible y respetuoso del contexto arqueológico. Asimismo, se evidenció que el patrimonio cultural sumergido posee un fuerte peso simbólico y político, en tanto conecta a la sociedad con su identidad histórica y exige una actuación estatal responsable, transparente y orientada a la protección de la memoria histórica.
A lo largo del análisis se identificó que las entidades encargadas de la gestión del patrimonio subacuático enfrentaron problemas estructurales de articulación institucional, recursos técnicos y financieros insuficientes para el desarrollo adecuado de la arqueología subacuática, así como vacíos en la implementación efectiva de políticas públicas alineadas con estándares internacionales. Estas dificultades generaron escenarios de incertidumbre jurídica y aumentaron el riesgo de intervenciones inadecuadas que podrían afectar de manera irreversible tanto el patrimonio cultural como los ecosistemas marinos asociados. No obstante, el derecho marítimo y el régimen jurídico del patrimonio cultural ofrecieron herramientas relevantes para ordenar competencias, fortalecer la gobernanza y establecer criterios claros para la investigación científica, la protección ambiental y la toma de decisiones estatales. En este sentido, el caso del Galeón San José se convirtió en un referente fundamental para evaluar la eficacia de normas como la Ley 397 de 1997, la Ley 1675 de 2013 y el Decreto 1080 de 2015, así como para contrastarlas con los principios de la Convención de la UNESCO de 2001 sobre la Protección del Patrimonio Cultural Subacuático. Aunque esta convención no ha sido ratificada por Colombia, su contenido representó un estándar ético, técnico y jurídico relevante para el análisis comparado. El estudio evidenció la necesidad de avanzar hacia una visión integral del patrimonio cultural sumergido que supere la tradicional tensión entre memoria y mercado, priorizando la investigación científica, la protección in situ y la conservación del contexto arqueológico por encima de intereses de carácter comercial. Las fuentes doctrinales y normativas revisadas coincidieron en que este tipo de patrimonio constituye un recurso irremplazable, cuya protección requiere un enfoque interdisciplinario, la participación de las comunidades y la existencia de reglas claras de gobernanza que garanticen tanto su valor histórico como la preservación de los ecosistemas marinos en los que se encuentra. Desde una perspectiva conceptual, se reafirmó que los bienes culturales sumergidos poseen un valor arqueológico, histórico y simbólico que contribuye a la construcción de identidades colectivas y al entendimiento de procesos históricos complejos, razón por la cual demandan una protección jurídica especializada y diferenciada. La metodología empleada, basada en revisión documental, análisis normativo y comparación internacional, permitió identificar tensiones regulatorias, evaluar críticamente el marco jurídico colombiano y reconocer oportunidades de mejora en la formulación e implementación de políticas públicas. Finalmente, los resultados reflejaron debilidades en la coordinación institucional, riesgos ambientales derivados de intervenciones no planificadas y un marco legal que, aunque ha presentado avances significativos, requiere ajustes para alinearse plenamente con las buenas prácticas internacionales. El caso del Galeón San José evidenció la urgencia de adoptar políticas públicas más coherentes que integren la soberanía cultural, la sostenibilidad ambiental y una gestión estatal responsable, orientada a garantizar la protección del patrimonio cultural sumergido para las generaciones presentes y futuras.
This study analyzes the preservation of submerged cultural heritage in Colombia through the case of the San José Galleon, understood not only as an archaeological discovery of high historical value, but also as a symbolic site that concentrates collective memory and reveals deep tensions among legal, political, environmental, and economic interests. The San José Galleon has become a focal point for debates on cultural sovereignty, heritage management, economic exploitation, and the responsibility of the State in safeguarding assets that form part of the nation’s shared history. The research shows how the absence of clear and harmonized regulations, institutional disputes among State entities, pressure from private actors, and the fragility of marine ecosystems have hindered the construction of a coherent and sustainable conservation model that respects the archaeological context. It also highlights the strong symbolic and political significance of submerged cultural heritage, as it connects society with its historical identity and demands responsible, transparent, and heritage-oriented State action. Throughout the analysis, it was identified that the institutions responsible for managing submerged heritage face structural challenges, including weak institutional coordination, insufficient technical and financial resources for underwater archaeology, and gaps in the effective implementation of public policies aligned with international standards. These shortcomings have generated legal uncertainty and increased the risk of poorly planned interventions that may cause irreversible damage to both cultural heritage and associated marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, maritime law and the legal regime governing cultural heritage provide valuable tools to clarify institutional competences, strengthen governance, and establish clear criteria for scientific research, environmental protection, and State decision-making. In this context, the San José Galleon case serves as a key reference for assessing the effectiveness of Colombian regulations such as Law 397 of 1997, Law 1675 of 2013, and Decree 1080 of 2015, as well as for comparing them with the principles of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Although this Convention has not been ratified by Colombia, it represents a relevant ethical, technical, and legal benchmark for comparative analysis. The study emphasizes the need to move toward an integrated approach to submerged cultural heritage that transcends the traditional tension between memory and market interests, prioritizing scientific research, in situ preservation, and the conservation of archaeological contexts over commercial objectives. The reviewed sources agree that underwater cultural heritage constitutes an irreplaceable resource whose protection requires an interdisciplinary approach, community participation, and clear governance frameworks to safeguard both its historical value and the marine environments in which it is located. From a conceptual perspective, the research reaffirms that submerged cultural assets possess archaeological, historical, and symbolic value that contributes to the construction of collective identities and the understanding of complex historical processes, thereby justifying the need for specialized legal protection. The methodology, based on documentary review, normative analysis, and international comparison, allowed the identification of regulatory tensions, a critical assessment of the Colombian legal framework, and the recognition of opportunities for improvement in public policy design and implementation. Finally, the findings reveal persistent weaknesses in institutional coordination, environmental risks arising from unplanned interventions, and a legal framework that, although it has made significant progress, still requires adjustments to fully align with international best practices. The San José Galleon case underscores the urgency of adopting more coherent public policies that integrate cultural sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and responsible State governance to ensure the protection of submerged cultural heritage for present and future generations.
This study analyzes the preservation of submerged cultural heritage in Colombia through the case of the San José Galleon, understood not only as an archaeological discovery of high historical value, but also as a symbolic site that concentrates collective memory and reveals deep tensions among legal, political, environmental, and economic interests. The San José Galleon has become a focal point for debates on cultural sovereignty, heritage management, economic exploitation, and the responsibility of the State in safeguarding assets that form part of the nation’s shared history. The research shows how the absence of clear and harmonized regulations, institutional disputes among State entities, pressure from private actors, and the fragility of marine ecosystems have hindered the construction of a coherent and sustainable conservation model that respects the archaeological context. It also highlights the strong symbolic and political significance of submerged cultural heritage, as it connects society with its historical identity and demands responsible, transparent, and heritage-oriented State action. Throughout the analysis, it was identified that the institutions responsible for managing submerged heritage face structural challenges, including weak institutional coordination, insufficient technical and financial resources for underwater archaeology, and gaps in the effective implementation of public policies aligned with international standards. These shortcomings have generated legal uncertainty and increased the risk of poorly planned interventions that may cause irreversible damage to both cultural heritage and associated marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, maritime law and the legal regime governing cultural heritage provide valuable tools to clarify institutional competences, strengthen governance, and establish clear criteria for scientific research, environmental protection, and State decision-making. In this context, the San José Galleon case serves as a key reference for assessing the effectiveness of Colombian regulations such as Law 397 of 1997, Law 1675 of 2013, and Decree 1080 of 2015, as well as for comparing them with the principles of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Although this Convention has not been ratified by Colombia, it represents a relevant ethical, technical, and legal benchmark for comparative analysis. The study emphasizes the need to move toward an integrated approach to submerged cultural heritage that transcends the traditional tension between memory and market interests, prioritizing scientific research, in situ preservation, and the conservation of archaeological contexts over commercial objectives. The reviewed sources agree that underwater cultural heritage constitutes an irreplaceable resource whose protection requires an interdisciplinary approach, community participation, and clear governance frameworks to safeguard both its historical value and the marine environments in which it is located. From a conceptual perspective, the research reaffirms that submerged cultural assets possess archaeological, historical, and symbolic value that contributes to the construction of collective identities and the understanding of complex historical processes, thereby justifying the need for specialized legal protection. The methodology, based on documentary review, normative analysis, and international comparison, allowed the identification of regulatory tensions, a critical assessment of the Colombian legal framework, and the recognition of opportunities for improvement in public policy design and implementation. Finally, the findings reveal persistent weaknesses in institutional coordination, environmental risks arising from unplanned interventions, and a legal framework that, although it has made significant progress, still requires adjustments to fully align with international best practices. The San José Galleon case underscores the urgency of adopting more coherent public policies that integrate cultural sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and responsible State governance to ensure the protection of submerged cultural heritage for present and future generations.
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Palabras clave
Arqueología subacuática, Protección in situ, Gestión y coordinación interinstitucional, Soberanía cultural, Memoria y patrimonio marítimo