Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that there is no diplomatic crisis with Spain, responding to longstanding tensions arising from historical grievances related to the Spanish conquest of Mexico. At a summit of left-leaning leaders in Barcelona, she emphasized the importance of recognizing the strength of indigenous peoples in Mexico.
The colonization of Mexico has become a contentious topic in recent years, with many calling for Spain to apologize for historical human rights violations. This criticism has strained relations between the two nations, particularly after Sheinbaum's predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, made a similar demand in 2019, which went unanswered. López Obrador's administration also notably chose not to invite Spain's King Felipe VI to Sheinbaum's inauguration in 2024, which further escalated diplomatic tensions.
Sheinbaum's remarks came just before meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who refrained from commenting on the current state of relations with Mexico. However, Spain's economy minister described Sheinbaum's attendance at the summit as a very important and positive sign of rapprochement between the two countries. This summit is particularly notable as it marks the first visit by a Mexican president to Spain in eight years, signaling a potential shift in relations.
The relationship had been growing increasingly estranged, especially after comments from López Obrador regarding Spain's colonial history, where Spanish conquistadors caused tremendous suffering, including death and disease, during the dismantling of the Aztec empire. Nevertheless, there have been indications of improved relations recently, with King Felipe having acknowledged the historical abuses of the conquest and Sheinbaum extending an invitation to him for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the US, and Canada.
During Saturday's summit, leaders including Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also discussed issues related to democracy and responded to rising far-right extremism in Europe, suggesting a broad focus on regional cooperation amidst geopolitical challenges.
