Sheinbaum Welcomes Spanish King’s Acknowledgment of Conquest Abuses, Calls for Apology

Mexico City – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged on Tuesday that King Felipe VI’s recent recognition of abuses committed during the Spanish Conquest represents “progress,” while simultaneously urging further steps, including a formal apology. Sheinbaum’s comments came during her daily press conference at the National Palace.

“Although one would have wanted more, We see a step forward,” Sheinbaum stated, adding that “a step has been taken” and calling for continued advancement on the issue. When pressed on whether Mexico anticipates a further gesture from the Spanish monarch – specifically a formal apology for the excesses of the Conquest – Sheinbaum emphasized “the importance of what forgiveness means,” but also suggested King Felipe faced criticism domestically for acknowledging the abuses despite the Laws of the Indies adopted by the Catholic Monarchs.

Sheinbaum referenced a 2019 letter from her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, requesting an apology from King Felipe, asserting that without this open initiative, the matter “would have remained hidden under the rug.”

“It must be said, there were abuses and that is not right. As has been said, of course we must continue to move forward with that vision, as it is the dignity of the Mexican people, it is our history,” she emphasized.

The leftist leader also defended the “many relationships” Mexico maintains with the Spanish people, recalling Spain’s solidarity with the Spanish Republic, stating it offered refuge to orphaned children and those whose parents were persecuted by the Franco regime. While acknowledging that Mexico was “different after the arrival of the Spanish,” Sheinbaum criticized the historically perpetuated view of indigenous populations as “barbaric” and engaged in cannibalism and human sacrifice.

Sheinbaum’s remarks followed criticism from Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, who linked violence in Mexico to demands for an apology for the Conquest. Sheinbaum attributed these comments to Ayuso’s “imperial” worldview and her alignment with former right-wing President Felipe Calderón.

“She is ideological, her issue is ideological against us. They are allied with Felipe Calderón and with the Mexican right there. What do you expect them to say? That they deny history? Well, the King of Spain has already recognized that there were abuses during that period,” Sheinbaum stated. She criticized Ayuso for failing to acknowledge the abuses, arguing that her vision mirrors that of Calderón.

Ayuso has maintained that Spain should be “deeply proud” of its legacy in Mexico, asserting it brought “a civilized way of life through missions, universities, hospitals and also important infrastructure that still stands today.” She recently echoed a sentiment that Mexico should address its own security issues before demanding apologies for historical events, referencing comments made by Mexican historian Juan Miguel Zunzunegui.

According to the Associated Press, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with President Sheinbaum in Mexico City on September 3, 2025. The Los Angeles Times reported in January 2026 that President Trump has praised Sheinbaum, describing her as “fantastic,” “terrific,” and “elegant,” and has even imitated her “beautiful voice” at a recent summit. The relationship between the two leaders, though, remains complex, with potential challenges arising from regional tensions and the possibility of continued U.S. Tariffs, as noted by the AP.