I saw a plaque in the "Inquisition Palace" of Cartagena Colombia which reports Jews as monopolizing the slave trade. In psychology this is called Projecting, ie. accusing others of something you don't like about yourself.
This is a defamatory accusation used by such disreputable groups as the KKK, David Duke and Louis Farrakhan, however in this case it is in a Museum, and in a building which actually organised the murder of innocent Jews and others. How shameful and vile.
Here is the Google translation of the plaque:
"THE JEWS AND THE HOLY OFFICE IN CARTAGENA DE INDIAS The trans-atlantic trade in slaves and all types of merchandise, brought to Cartagena a number of Portuguese Judaizers, who were avid merchants that had monopolized the slave trade. These men represented an economic exit to the crisis of the Corona, but at the same time, they were a danger to the Catholic faith so guarded by the Inquisition, because they brought traditions that were cataloged by the Court as contrary to the Catholic faith, breaking the customs and the order of the New World.
The Court of the Inquisition of Cartagena undertook a wide persecution against the Judaizers, to the point that in the first 50 years of the Tribual were able to process fifty-nine Jews.
This persecution had as one of its purposes the confiscation of property of these prisoners, which were not negligible if one takes into account that they handled much of the slave trade.
Among those processed in Cartagena by Judaizantes were: Diego de Mesa, Flancisco Gomez de León, Diego Fernández Rangel, Juan Vicente, Pedro Abreu, Luis Franco Díaz, Diego Rodríguez Núñez Domingo de Acosta, Antonio Rodríguez, Baltazar de Araujo, Manuel Franco Díaz, Luís Fernández Suarez, Manuel de Fonseca Enríquez, Jorge Fernández...
Read moreDuring my journey to Colombia around ten years ago, I had the opportunity of visiting the Museo de Cartagena de Indias, and it was a truly remarkable experience. I can tell with confidence that this museum is one of the top attractions in Cartagena as someone who has taken many trips and has a desire for learning about other cultures.
You are immediately transported to Cartagena's colonial era as soon as you enter. The structure itself is a magnificent example of colonial architecture, with fine detailing and lovely courtyards that transport you to a different setting. The carefully organised displays provide a window into the rich history of the city and its inhabitants.
The immersive nature of the encounter was one of the aspects of this museum that most impressed me. The interesting and interactive exhibitions let visitors fully immerse themselves in Cartagena's history. Every element of the museum is intended to take you back in time, from the vivid exhibits of traditional costumes to the detailed features of the city's architecture.
But the staff's enthusiasm and commitment are what actually distinguish this museum. The tour guides are very knowledgable, open to inquiries, and passionate about the history of the city. They clearly take tremendous satisfaction in telling visitors from all over the world about Cartagena, and their enthusiasm is contagious.
I highly recommend visiting the Museo of Cartagena de Indias. This museum should not be missed, whether you're a history enthusiast or just searching for a distinctive cultural experience. I have devoted my professional life to harnessing the potential of AI and digital marketing, so I understand the need of conserving history and culture for future generations to discover...
Read moreThe Spanish Inquisition conjures visions of witches, torture, and religious persecution. As an important seat of Spanish colonial power, Cartagena housed an office of the Inquisition. Today the Palacio de la Inquisición in Cartagena doubles as a museum of the Inquisition as well as the Cartagena Historical Museum. You can see some examples of torture devices and learn about the city’s history.
The office was founded in Cartagena in 1610, the third site of the Inquisition in the Americas after those at Veracrúz, Mexico and Lima, Peru. It had jurisdiction over the colony of Nueva Granada, which included present day Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela.
The Inquisition in the Americas tended to be less brutal than in Spain itself, and that was particularly true in Cartagena. The city was an important international trading center, which gave it a cosmopolitan quality that tended to lead to more tolerance.
However, during its 200 years in operation, the Inquisition in Cartagena did investigate close to 900 people. Of those, 56 were convicted and made to carry out acts of penance, 12 of those publicly, and 5 of whom were...
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