Sheinbaum Notes Spain’s ‘Different Approach’ to Conquest History, Rules Out Meeting with King

Mexico City — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged a “different approach” from Spain regarding the historical interpretation of the conquest but confirmed she will not meet with King Felipe VI during her upcoming trip to Barcelona.

Speaking at a press conference, Sheinbaum detailed that after Mexico sent two exhibitions to Spain about its pre-Hispanic civilizations, both Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI made statements recognizing that the Spanish arrival in what is now Mexico should be evaluated differently today.

Sheinbaum welcomed this development, noting it represents a significant shift from recent years when Spain denied historical facts and even campaigned against a letter sent by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Despite valuing what she called this new sensitivity toward what she described as an invasion and a “rather violent encounter,” Sheinbaum clarified her Barcelona trip is not a state visit. When asked if she had any meeting scheduled with the king, she answered “no.”

Instead, her official agenda will focus on governmental and multilateral matters. Sheinbaum explained she will hold a bilateral meeting with the Spanish prime minister, with details being coordinated with new Foreign Secretary Roberto Velasco.

She described the trip as brief, with her team departing Thursday night and concentrating activities solely on Saturday before returning Sunday.

During the progressive governments summit in Barcelona, which will include other Latin American leaders, Sheinbaum said her main message will center on peace, the need to reduce military spending to address human needs, and promoting the principle of “for the good of all, first the poor.”

Sheinbaum reiterated that diplomatic, commercial, and tourist relations with Spain “have never been broken.” However, she emphasized her government will continue pushing for a “different truth” and sending Mexican anthropologists and more exhibitions to Spain so indigenous perspectives are heard and respected.

Sheinbaum’s Trip Amid Mexico-Spain Tensions

Sheinbaum announced her Barcelona trip last Friday as part of a summit where she will meet with progressive leaders. She noted this is the second meeting of such a summit convened by former Chilean President Gabriel Boric.

The event will include the presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi; and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The Global Progressive Mobilisation will take place in Barcelona on April 17-18, which according to its website aims to offer a necessary alternative to conservative and far-right forces.

The president’s visit to Europe comes after cooling diplomatic relations between Mexico and Spain that began in 2019, when former President López Obrador sent a letter on behalf of the Mexican government requesting the Spanish Crown apologize for grievances during the historical period known as the conquest.

Tensions escalated during López Obrador’s administration, reaching a “pause” in bilateral relations. However, tensions eased after King Felipe VI publicly acknowledged on March 16 that there was “much abuse” during the Spanish conquest period in the Americas, though he noted the Catholic Monarchs had a “protective intent” toward indigenous peoples.