- Mexico and Spain moved to ease long-standing diplomatic tensions
- President Sheinbaum and King Felipe VI met in Mexico City during World Cup-related engagements
- Both sides agreed to strengthen cultural and economic ties
Mexico and Spain have taken fresh steps to improve diplomatic relations after years of strained ties over calls for an apology for Spain’s colonial conquest of Mexico.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the renewed engagement came on Thursday when Spanish King Felipe VI met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City before travelling to Guadalajara for Spain’s FIFA World Cup group stage match against Uruguay.
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Relations between both countries deteriorated in 2019 after former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador requested that the Spanish monarchy formally acknowledge atrocities committed during the 16th century conquest.
Spain rejected the request and defended the shared history between the two nations, leading to years of diplomatic unease.
During Thursday’s meeting, Sheinbaum and King Felipe exchanged a warm handshake and discussed football, the importance of Indigenous communities, and the need to strengthen cooperation between their countries.
They also expressed solidarity with Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that recently claimed hundreds of lives.
In a message posted on X after the meeting, Sheinbaum said both leaders agreed to deepen bilateral relations for the benefit of their nations while recognising the historical significance of Indigenous peoples.
The Mexican government also announced plans to organise joint exhibitions and cultural programmes highlighting Mexico’s Indigenous heritage and the contributions of Spanish exiles who settled in the country.
Spain’s Royal Household described the visit as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the two nations.
Although Sheinbaum did not invite King Felipe to her inauguration in 2024, prompting Spain to boycott the ceremony, relations have gradually improved over the past year through diplomatic engagements and cultural exchanges.
Observers believe football has also played a role in easing tensions. Earlier this year, King Felipe acknowledged that abuses occurred during Spain’s colonial conquest while attending an exhibition on Indigenous women in Madrid.
Shortly afterwards, Sheinbaum invited him to attend the FIFA World Cup, which Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada.
Political analyst Pablo Majluf said the invitation helped create an opportunity for reconciliation, although he criticised the approach adopted by López Obrador in demanding an apology from the Spanish monarchy.
Despite past disagreements, Majluf noted that Mexico and Spain remain closely connected through their shared culture, history and economic interests.
Economic cooperation has also gained momentum. Earlier this month, Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo met with business leaders from both countries in Mexico City to discuss plans to double bilateral trade by 2030.
King Felipe was accompanied on the visit by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Education Minister Milagros Tolón.
The reconciliation follows other goodwill gestures, including Spain’s recognition of the suffering experienced by Indigenous peoples during colonisation and the presentation of prestigious Spanish awards to notable Mexican individuals and institutions.
Earlier this year, Sheinbaum also travelled to Barcelona at the invitation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to attend a summit of progressive leaders focused on global political challenges, including the policies of US President Donald Trump.
The latest diplomatic engagement signals a renewed commitment by both governments to strengthen cooperation despite lingering historical differences.
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