Since coming to power in 2018, President López Obrador expressed his animosity against the Spanish government. His ostensible argument was that Madrid had not taken responsibility for the atrocities committed during the encounter between the Spanish and pre-Hispanic civilizations, which occurred at the beginning of the 16th century and until Mexico achieved its independence in the early years of the 19th century.
It must be said that what was also behind the decision to begin a diplomatic dispute with Spain was an undeniable resentment at the success that Spanish investments had had in our country. This was clear in the way the new administration has attempted to hinder the smooth progress of these investments.
As we know, the president-elect, instead of not getting involved in this diplomatic conflict, relaunched López Obrador’s accusation and demanded that Madrid apologize for the atrocities committed by some individuals in Spain centuries ago. With this, she has contributed to prolonging the unnecessary struggle between Mexico and Spain.
Some things must be said about the accusation against the Iberian country. Firstly, Mexico did not exist as a political reality when the Spanish arrived in territories where various communities were already at odds with each other.
Secondly, the Spanish government, on more than one occasion, has already assumed its responsibility for the bloody acts committed by a part of its nationals centuries ago. Demanding forgiveness from someone who has already explained their behavior is irrational and only fits someone who seeks to continue litigation.
It is curious that we have not heard the opinion of the indigenous groups in all this, since they would be the ones who, in any case, could ask the Spanish government for an explanation.
Although at this point it must be recognized that today’s indigenous groups are very different from the inhabitants of the pre-Hispanic world.
Thirdly, the López Obrador government is interfering in the affairs of Spain by not having invited its Head of State. It is a way of not recognizing the government institutions of another clearly democratic country. As we know, the Spanish reaction has been not to send anyone to the inauguration of the next Mexican president.
With this embarrassing episode, Mexico’s relations, under the new government, with one of its main commercial and strategic partners begin on the wrong foot.
Relations between two countries linked by a strong cultural, linguistic and artistic identity also started very badly. It would not be the first time in history that a dispute between politicians leads to a cultural and spiritual distancing between people.
All of this is being risked by not understanding that genuine friendship between societies cannot be founded on misinformed resentment. The best thing now is to start repairing the relationship. I would urge you to do so… Mexico City.
@gdehoyoswalther
President of Alternatives for Mexico
#Gustavo #Hoyos #Walther #government #Spain
A Diplomatic Storm: Understanding the Mexico-Spain Tensions
As a renowned blog news writer, I have been closely following the unfolding diplomatic tensions between Mexico and Spain. A recent development in this saga has sparked intense interest and debate, as Spain has announced that it will boycott the inauguration of Mexico’s first-ever female president, scheduled to take place on October 1, 2024 [[1]].
To grasp the intricacies of this situation, it’s essential to delve into the historical context and examine the primary drivers of the dispute. As reported, the origins of this diplomatic rift date back to 2018 when President López Obrador assumed office and openly expressed his animosity towards the Spanish government. The president’s reasoning centered on Spain’s alleged failure to acknowledge the atrocities committed during the Spanish conquest of Mexico and its aftermath, spanning several centuries.
However, it’s crucial to note that this diplomatic row is not merely a matter of historical grievances; economic interests and lingering resentment towards Spanish investments in Mexico also played a significant role [[2]]. The success of Spanish investments in Mexico has long been a contentious issue, with the new administration seemingly attempting to hinder their progress.
Unfortunately, the incoming president-elect has opted to revive López Obrador’s accusations and demanded an apology from Madrid for the atrocities committed by Spanish individuals in centuries past. By choosing this path, she has inadvertently contributed to the prolongation of this unnecessary diplomatic conflict between Mexico and Spain.
Upon closer examination, several key points must be addressed regarding the accusations levelled against Spain. Firstly, it’s crucial to note that Mexico did not exist as a distinct political entity during the time of the Spanish conquest. This crucial historical context underscores the difficulties in assigning collective responsibility to the Spanish government for deeds committed by individuals during that period.
Moreover, the unfolding diplomatic tensions between Mexico and Spain seem to be characterized by an unwillingness to move beyond historical grievances. This sentiment is evident in Spain’s refusal to send a delegation to the inauguration of Mexico’s first female president [[1]]. Such an impasse does little to alleviate the tensions between the two nations and threatens to mar the prospects of fostering positive diplomatic relations.
Ultimately, it’s imperative for both parties to adopt a more measured approach, acknowledging the complexities of history while pursuing constructive dialogue. By engaging in such a manner, Mexico and Spain can potentially resolve their differences, mending fences and paving the way for a renewed relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation.
References:
[[1]]https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-boycott-mexico-president-inauguration-claudia-sheinbaum-king-felipe-vi/
[[2]]https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/embassy-of-spain/
[[3]]https://www.lavanguardia.com/mediterranean/20240925/9969477/mexico-excludes-king-inauguration-president-spain-foreign-felipe-albares-sheinbaum-diplomacy.html
