The Foreign Minister of Mexico, Roberto Velasco, has emphasized this Thursday that the Spanish Conquest continues to be "always a sensitive issue" for the country, recalling that "in Mexico there are many indigenous communities and peoples that are still alive," and for this reason he has warned that "those who want to deny the abuses deny history."
"One might think it is a matter from 500 years ago, but the reality is that those communities are part of what Mexico is today and of our social fabric, and we are very proud of these peoples, who are part of our greatness, not only historical but also present," he said in an interview with Europa Press during his visit to Madrid on the occasion of the XXX Ibero-American Summit.
Velasco has insisted on the need to "reflect the contrasts that exist in this history, which also brought a great deal of suffering," and he has positively valued the "recognition" expressed by King Felipe VI last March, when he admitted that in practice there was "a lot of abuse" during the Conquest of America.
"I think it is a big step that we can have that recognition between the two countries. Those who want to deny it are simply denying history and reality, but above all they are denying a legitimate right of people who exist today in Mexico, in Latin America and in Ibero-America and who are part of the countries that are gathered today," he stressed.
"EXTRAORDINARY" MOMENT IN RELATIONS WITH SPAIN
With regard to the bilateral link, he has underscored that relations with Spain are going through an "extraordinary moment" and are in an "excellent chapter." As he indicated, "there is good alignment between the president (Claudia) Sheinbaum and the president (Pedro) Sánchez. We are working on various issues, which has to do with the historical memory of our relationship but also with the future, and also the development of several matters that are priorities for both countries, such as economic relations."
About his meeting this morning with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, he has detailed that they discussed different issues of shared interest: "We have developed a cooperation agenda in all areas, from regional issues such as humanitarian cooperation around Cuba, to the future ratification of the modernized global agreement between Mexico and the European Union."
"We have also addressed labor issues, issues that have to do with technology, with artificial intelligence, cultural issues... We have reviewed where each of us stands with regard to these topics and, of course, I think there are very good accounts of where we stand," he added.
With regard to the general elections of next November 29 in Spain, he emphasized that Mexico is "respectful" and opts for "not to comment in advance" on the Spanish political landscape. "We will follow it, when the time comes, and we will comment afterward on this issue," he concluded.
AN "SUCCESSFUL" SUMMIT IN MADRID
The minister also took the opportunity to highlight the results of the XXX Ibero-American Summit held in Madrid, which he described as "respectful" and "successful."
He noted that commitments have been reached that "have to do with student exchange, disaster prevention, which for Mexico is a priority issue, (...) and artificial intelligence, which is of interest to all the countries."
"There is a rich agenda and dialogue on all the matters that are of interest to the 22 countries that we participate in the summit. Of course, among us there are deep political, ideological differences, but what is important is that we are here to address them in a respectful manner and that we have had the opportunity to maintain this dialogue," he said.
MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN THE US
When asked about the midterm elections in the United States, held on November 3 and which have represented a major setback for the Republican Party by losing control of Congress, Velasco stated that he remains waiting to know "what decisions the Government makes" in Washington.
"I cannot speak for the United States," he said. "What I could highlight is that there are several new figures on the American board, including two governors --a female governor and a governor-- in very important border states," he specified.
As he explained, these are California and Texas, in the south of the country. "These governors are of Mexican origin: the one in Texas, Gina Hinojosa, and the governor-elect of California, Xavier Becerra. They are children of parents of Mexican origin, so naturally I think that should be important," he reiterated.