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Sheinbaum denies diplomatic crisis with Spain
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed claims of strained relations with Spain, emphasizing the importance of recognizing indigenous heritage during a summit in Barcelona on Saturday.
"There is no diplomatic crisis. There never has been," Sheinbaum stated upon arriving at the gathering of left-leaning leaders. "What matters most is acknowledging the strength of our country's indigenous peoples."
Colonial history strains relations
Tensions between Mexico and Spain have simmered in recent years over Spain's 16th-century conquest of the Aztec empire, which involved widespread violence and disease. Former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador escalated the dispute in 2019 by demanding a formal apology from Spain for human rights abuses during colonization.
When Spain declined to respond, Sheinbaum excluded King Felipe VI from her 2024 inauguration, prompting Spain to withhold any official representation at the event.
Signs of thawing relations
Recent months have seen tentative steps toward reconciliation. In March, King Felipe publicly acknowledged "a lot of abuse" during the conquest, marking the first such admission by a Spanish monarch. His comments came during an exhibition in Madrid honoring indigenous Mexican women.
Sheinbaum later extended an invitation to the king for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. The Spanish royal palace described the event as an opportunity to "evoke the depth and unique character of the ties between Mexico and Spain."
Spain's Economy Minister hailed Sheinbaum's presence at the Barcelona summit as "a very important and positive sign of rapprochement," according to Reuters.
Summit focuses on democracy amid global tensions
The Barcelona gathering, part of the In Defence of Democracy initiative, brought together leaders to counter rising illiberalism. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned of attacks on the multilateral system and the normalization of force in international relations.
"Democracy cannot be taken for granted. We are witnessing repeated challenges to the rules of international law."
Pedro Sánchez, Spanish Prime Minister
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the UN Security Council, calling its five permanent members-China, France, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S.-"lords of war" for wielding veto power to impose rules on other nations.
Leaders pledge aid to Cuba
In a joint statement, the leaders of Brazil, Mexico, and Spain announced plans to increase humanitarian aid to Cuba, citing a "humanitarian crisis" exacerbated by fuel shortages and blackouts. The U.S. oil blockade has worsened the island's energy struggles.
Far-right rally contrasts with Barcelona summit
While left-leaning leaders met in Barcelona, far-right figures convened in Milan for a rally organized by Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini. The event featured Jordan Bardella, leader of France's Rassemblement National, and Geert Wilders of the Dutch PVV party.
Salvini accused the EU of serving "a few businessmen and warmongers," while Bardella criticized Brussels' regulations and immigration policies. Hungary's outgoing leader Viktor Orbán, whose Fidesz party is part of the Patriots for Europe alliance, was absent following his recent electoral defeat.
