Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated there was no diplomatic crisis with Spain after years of frosty relations over the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
There is no diplomatic crisis. There never has been. What is very important is that we recognise the strength of our country's indigenous peoples, she remarked as she arrived at a summit of left-leaning leaders in Barcelona on Saturday.
The historical ramifications of Spain's colonization of Mexico have increasingly prompted calls for an official apology, contributing to recent diplomatic tensions.
The summit, designed to address a rise in illiberalism, occured simultaneously with a rally of far-right leaders in Italy focusing on immigration issues and EU oversight.
Sheinbaum's remarks coincided with her meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who maintained silence on the state of bilateral relations. However, Spain's economy minister characterized Sheinbaum's attendance at the summit as a very important and positive sign of mending ties.
This visit marks the first by a Mexican president to Spain in eight years, occurring against a backdrop of deteriorating relations since 2019, when Sheinbaum’s predecessor demanded an apology from Spain regarding historical abuses during colonization.
In a context where Spanish conquistadors were responsible for significant devastation of the indigenous Aztec empire, Spain's history in Mexico remains contentious.
Recent signs indicate improving relations; for instance, King Felipe of Spain acknowledged the abuse during the conquest earlier this year, a significant admission from a Spanish monarch. Additionally, diplomatic exchanges have been initiated, including Sheinbaum's invitation to the Spanish king for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, slated to showcase the renewed connection between Mexico and Spain.
Spain's Foreign Minister has also publicly recognized the complex shared history, highlighting pain and injustice inherent in the relationship between the two nations.
Sheinbaum's attendance at this weekend's summit reflects a potential shift towards reconciliation in the long-strained diplomatic relations between Mexico and Spain.
