Spain Expresses Regret Over Conquest Injustice
Spain has officially acknowledged and expressed regret over the 'pain and injustice' suffered by the Indigenous peoples of the Americas during the Spanish conquest. The statement, delivered by Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, on Friday, November 1, 2025, represents a notable shift in the country's stance following years of diplomatic tension with Mexico.
Speaking at the inauguration of an exhibition in Madrid dedicated to the Indigenous women of Mexico, Albares reflected on the shared history between the two nations. He stated, 'It's a very human history and, like every human history, it's had its light and its shadows. And there has also been pain – pain and injustice towards the Indigenous people to whom this exhibition is dedicated. There was injustice and it's right to recognise that today and to be sorry for that, because it is also part of our shared history, and we can neither deny nor forget it.'
Years of Diplomatic Friction with Mexico
This recent acknowledgment comes after a prolonged period of diplomatic friction between Spain and Mexico concerning the historical events of the conquest, which began in 1519 with the arrival of Hernán Cortés. The dispute intensified in March 2019 when then-Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) sent letters to King Felipe VI of Spain and Pope Francis, urging them to apologize for the 'massacres and oppression' and 'violations of human rights' committed during the colonial period.
At the time, the Spanish government firmly rejected López Obrador's demand, asserting that the events of 500 years ago could not be judged by 'contemporary considerations' and that the shared history should be viewed 'without anger and from a shared perspective.' This initial refusal contributed to a strained relationship between the two Spanish-speaking nations.
Mexico's Continued Call for Apology
The call for an apology was renewed and upheld by Mexico's current President, Claudia Sheinbaum, who succeeded López Obrador. Sheinbaum notably did not invite King Felipe VI to her inauguration, a decision that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described as 'unacceptable,' further highlighting the diplomatic impasse.
President Sheinbaum welcomed Foreign Minister Albares's recent comments, describing them as a 'first step' towards reconciliation. She emphasized that 'apologies ennoble governments and peoples,' suggesting that the acknowledgment could pave the way for improved bilateral relations. This gesture from Spain is seen as a significant move towards repairing the strained diplomatic ties that have persisted for nearly seven years.
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