French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed during his visit to Mexico on Friday that the historic jewels stolen from the Louvre Museum will be recovered and announced that the museum’s security system will be reviewed.
“We have already begun arresting members of the group behind this theft. The jewels will be recovered; they will be arrested and brought to justice,” Macron told Televisa during his stop in Mexico City, part of his Latin American tour. “What happened—an event that shocked the world—is an opportunity for us to emerge even stronger,” he added.
On October 19, thieves broke into the Louvre and stole jewels valued at 88 million euros in just a few minutes. The pieces remain missing, and four suspects have been charged and imprisoned.
Among the eight items of incalculable cultural value, according to French authorities, is the tiara of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, adorned with about 2,000 diamonds.
Earlier this week, France’s Court of Auditors criticized the museum’s management, claiming it had prioritized attracting more visitors over ensuring proper security.
“The Louvre’s security will be completely restructured,” Macron declared, referring to a major renovation plan announced in January, which includes a new main entrance and a dedicated gallery for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
On Friday, the world’s most-visited museum unveiled “emergency measures,” including the appointment of a security coordinator and the installation of additional surveillance cameras.