Sheinbaum Denies Diplomatic Crisis with Spain
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated there is "no diplomatic crisis" with Spain despite years of strained relations related to the historical conquest of Mexico by Spain.
"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,"
Sheinbaum made these remarks upon arriving at a summit of left-leaning leaders in Barcelona on Saturday.
Historical Context and Diplomatic Tensions
Spain's colonisation of Mexico has become a contentious topic in recent years, leading to calls for an official apology and resulting in an apparent diplomatic snub between the two nations.
The summit in Barcelona, which aims to address the rise of illiberalism globally, coincided with a gathering of far-right leaders in Italy rallying against immigration and European Union bureaucracy.
Sheinbaum's comments preceded her meeting with the summit's co-chair, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who refrained from commenting on the current state of Spain-Mexico relations.
However, Spain's economy minister was quoted by as describing Sheinbaum's attendance as "a very important and positive sign of a rapprochement between the two countries." This visit marks the first by a Mexican president in eight years.
Background on Mexico-Spain Relations
Relations between Spain and Mexico worsened in 2019 when Sheinbaum's predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, demanded Spain apologise for human rights violations committed during its conquest of Mexico.
During the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors dismantled the Aztec empire, killing thousands through warfare and disease.
Following the lack of response to López Obrador's apology request, Sheinbaum chose not to invite Spain's King Felipe VI to her 2024 inauguration, an unusual diplomatic move. Spain subsequently declined to send any representative to the event.
Despite this, recent developments suggest a thaw in relations.
Signs of Reconciliation
In March, King Felipe publicly acknowledged the abuses committed during Spain's conquest of Mexico, stating:
"There are things that, when we study them, with our present-day criteria, our values, obviously cannot make us feel proud,"
He made these remarks while visiting an exhibition on indigenous Mexican women in Madrid. This was the first time a Spanish monarch publicly acknowledged colonial-era abuses.
It was later revealed that Sheinbaum had invited King Felipe to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
According to the Spanish royal palace, Sheinbaum said the sporting event would provide "a timely opportunity to evoke the depth and unique character of the ties between Mexico and Spain."
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also received praise from Sheinbaum last October after he acknowledged the "pain and injustice" in the shared history between the two countries.
Barcelona Summit and Global Context
The summit in Spain was the fourth meeting of the In Defence of Democracy initiative, which seeks to counter extremism and illiberalism worldwide.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the fragility of democracy, stating:
"Democracy cannot be taken for granted. We are witnessing attacks on the multilateral system, one attempt after another to challenge the rules of international law, and a dangerous normalisation of the use of force."
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, co-chair of the summit, criticised the United Nations Security Council, saying it was ineffective and that its five permanent members—the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom—had become "lords of war."
"No president of any country in the world, however powerful, has the right to keep imposing rules on other countries,"
Lula declared.
Far-Right Rally in Milan
Meanwhile, in Milan, thousands gathered for a rally organized by the Patriots for Europe party, a right-wing group in the European Parliament.
The party's leader, Jordan Bardella, who also heads France's far-right Rassemblement National (RN), participated alongside Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch far-right PVV party.
Bardella stated that immigration and the "ever-increasing regulations imposed by the European Commission and the European Union on European industry and on the economies of the eurozone" would be key issues discussed by the leaders.
"In Europe, the Alliance of Patriots is the only true adversary for the Brussels bureaucrats who serve a few businessmen and warmongers,"
Salvini told the crowd.
Hungary's outgoing leader Viktor Orbán, whose Fidesz party is part of the Patriots for Europe alliance, was absent from the rally. Orbán was recently ousted in the country's general election by Péter Magyar, a former ally.
