Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said there was 'no diplomatic crisis' with Spain after years of frosty relations over the conquest of the Central American nation. 'There is no diplomatic crisis. There never has been. What is very important is that we recognize the strength of our country's indigenous peoples,' she stated while attending a summit of left-leaning leaders in Barcelona on Saturday.
Spain's colonization of Mexico has recently become a contentious issue, further intensified by calls for an apology and an apparent diplomatic snub. The summit aims to address a rise in illiberalism, coming as far-right leaders convene in Italy for a rally against immigration and EU bureaucracy.
Just before meeting the summit’s co-chair, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Sheinbaum made her comments, while Sánchez chose not to comment on the diplomatic state. However, Spain's economy minister remarked that Sheinbaum's presence was 'a very important and positive sign of a rapprochement between the two countries.' This marks the first visit by a Mexican president to Spain in eight years.
Relations between Spain and Mexico soured in 2019, when Sheinbaum's predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, called for Spain to apologize for human rights abuses during its conquest. The Spanish conquistadors are remembered for their brutal actions which decimated the Aztec empire in the 16th century. When López Obrador's request went unanswered, Sheinbaum notably did not invite Spain's King Felipe VI to her inauguration in 2024, leading Spain to not send any representatives.
Signs of improving relations emerged recently, with King Felipe acknowledging abuses during the conquest, saying, 'There are things that, when we study them with our present-day criteria and values, obviously cannot make us feel proud.' His comments marked a significant public acknowledgment of the dark aspects of Spain's colonial history. Sheinbaum’s invitation to the King for the upcoming FIFA World Cup was made in light of strengthening ties between the two nations, suggesting a potential healing of historical grievances.
Spain's colonization of Mexico has recently become a contentious issue, further intensified by calls for an apology and an apparent diplomatic snub. The summit aims to address a rise in illiberalism, coming as far-right leaders convene in Italy for a rally against immigration and EU bureaucracy.
Just before meeting the summit’s co-chair, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Sheinbaum made her comments, while Sánchez chose not to comment on the diplomatic state. However, Spain's economy minister remarked that Sheinbaum's presence was 'a very important and positive sign of a rapprochement between the two countries.' This marks the first visit by a Mexican president to Spain in eight years.
Relations between Spain and Mexico soured in 2019, when Sheinbaum's predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, called for Spain to apologize for human rights abuses during its conquest. The Spanish conquistadors are remembered for their brutal actions which decimated the Aztec empire in the 16th century. When López Obrador's request went unanswered, Sheinbaum notably did not invite Spain's King Felipe VI to her inauguration in 2024, leading Spain to not send any representatives.
Signs of improving relations emerged recently, with King Felipe acknowledging abuses during the conquest, saying, 'There are things that, when we study them with our present-day criteria and values, obviously cannot make us feel proud.' His comments marked a significant public acknowledgment of the dark aspects of Spain's colonial history. Sheinbaum’s invitation to the King for the upcoming FIFA World Cup was made in light of strengthening ties between the two nations, suggesting a potential healing of historical grievances.
