Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday defended her upcoming trip to Barcelona, stating that her participation in the summit of progressive governments—organized by Pedro Sánchez’s administration—will serve as an opportunity to “continue conversing” with Spanish authorities, following their acknowledgment—albeit “in their own way”—that abuses were committed during the Conquest.
Speaking during her daily press conference, the Mexican leader emphasized that her trip to Spain for the summit represents “a moment to continue the dialogue” regarding the differences that arose surrounding the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire during the tenure of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. She highlighted that a form of acknowledgment has already been made by King Felipe and Spanish institutions.
“If there had been absolutely nothing, this trip probably would not be taking place; but given these two actions, I consider them significant acts of acknowledgment that deserve to be taken into account,” she noted. She further underscored that this acknowledgment of past abuses constitutes a vindication “of indigenous peoples and of the greatness of Mexico” in the face of the “civilizing” narrative often associated with the Conquest.
Sheinbaum pointed out that the Spanish monarch’s statements—in which he acknowledged that “many abuses” occurred during the Conquest, despite the Laws of the Indies adopted by the Catholic Monarchs—must be “recognized.” She cited these comments alongside statements made by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares regarding the aspects of “light and shadow” of the Spanish presence in Latin America, as well as the “pain and injustice inflicted upon the indigenous peoples” of Mexico.
“These two actions—undertaken by both the Spanish government and the King himself—must be recognized, because previously, there was nothing,” she asserted. At the same time, she advocated for continuing to educate the public regarding “what the arrival of the Spaniards and the Conquest meant for indigenous peoples,” drawing attention to the “many atrocities” committed during that era. “Who disagrees? Well, the Spanish right wing, because they persist in the view that they came to civilize,” Sheinbaum reflected, emphasizing the need to “continue promoting” Mexico’s cultural richness and legacy.
In this context, she framed her visit to Barcelona within the scope of this initiative. “The decision to go to Barcelona and continue engaging in dialogue with them regarding these issues,” she stated, going on to underscore that this also represents a valuable opportunity to reaffirm that “global peace is essential, as is a return to the foundational spirit of the United Nations Charter”—specifically, the principles of the self-determination of peoples, the pursuit of peace through dialogue, and non-intervention. “That is why we are going to Barcelona,” she summarized.
