Mexican president calls on Spain to apologize for Conquest

Mexico City, July 14 (RHC)--Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador has demanded from his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sánchez, as well as from King Felipe VI, apologies for the European invasion of American territory in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The president of Mexico complained Wednesday to the Spanish state and government for not having responded to the letter sent two years ago regarding the wrongs committed during the time of the conquest.

However, the Mexican president clarified that the Mexican government has a relationship of respect with the people of Spain: "The differences are with the government and the leaderships of power in Spain.  There is no aversion toward the people."

López Obrador reread the message sent to Spanish king Felipe VI in 2019, which generated diplomatic tensions between both countries, and acknowledged differences with the Spanish leadership.

The Mexican president recalled that he sent a letter in a respectful manner and neither the king nor the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, "even had the decency to respond to it."

In this sense, the Mexican head of state regretted that the letter was leaked and "the attacks on me and the Government began, from authorities, pro-monarchist intellectuals, Vargas Llosa, other writers, the press, El País, radio and television programs in Spain mocking our proposal.  They asked why did we have to ask for forgiveness, with a lot of arrogance, they lacked humility.  They forget that power is humility," he added.

AMLO also added that "it was important that the government of Spain, as a gesture of good will, to improve our relations, to give new reasons to the historical relations with Spain.  That apologies be offered for the excesses of authoritarianism that were exercised during the invasion, during the Conquest."

Likewise, he sent a message to the Spanish government and economic power: "What must be understood is that there is a new relationship with Mexico.  And stealing is not allowed."