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The Spanish Government is facing a new diplomatic crisis, now with Mexico. The decision of the President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum not to invite the King Philip VI to his inauguration on October 1 has caused discomfort in Moncloa, which, via a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced this Tuesday that neither Pedro Sanchez nor any other official representation will be present at the ceremony due to the “unacceptable exclusion” of the monarch.
The reaction of Sheinbaum who, in a few days, will take over from Lopez Obrador The Mexican president has not been long in coming. The president-elect has published a statement on her social networks to explain the reasons that led her to censure the presence of the King of Spain and to regret the decision taken by the Spanish Executive.
Sheinbaum explains that the invitation was sent last July through a diplomatic note and that she also spoke this week by telephone with Pedro Sánchez about this issue. The leader refers to a Letter that López Obrador sent to Felipe VI on March 1, 2019 on the occasion of the celebration of the 200 years of Mexico’s independence. In it he proposed the following:
“…that bilateral work be done on a roadmap to achieve the goal of holding a joint ceremony at the highest level in 2021; that the Kingdom of Spain publicly and officially express its recognition of the grievances caused and that both countries agree and draft a shared, public and socialized account of their common history, in order to begin a new stage in our relations, fully attached to the principles that currently guide our respective States and to provide future generations on both sides of the Atlantic with the channels for closer, more fluid and more fraternal coexistence.”
But “unfortunately,” López Obrador did not receive any direct response “as would have been the best diplomatic practice of bilateral relations,” says Sheinbaum, who also expresses her displeasure at the fact that The letter will be leaked in the media and which led to an official statement from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “a circumstance that has not been clarified nor has the Government of Mexico been directly responded to.”
Mexico, the “generous destination” of the Spanish Republicans
In her statement, Sheinbaum highlights the economic, tourist and cultural ties that unite both countries, and their “solid relationship of friendship” and It makes the monarch’s attitude ugly even more so, reminding him of the role played by Mexico during the Spanish Civil Warwhen “it was a supportive ally and a generous destination for many Spanish Republicans.
And so it was, indeed, since Mexico, under the presidency of Lazaro Cardenaswas one of the most loyal countries to the Republic, hosting thousands of Spanish exiles who were forced to flee from Franco’s repression on ships that are now part of democratic memory, such as the Sinaia, Ipanema and Mexico City.
Sheinbaum goes on to say that with this historical background it is even more convenient Strengthening the bond “with a renewed historical perspectivein accordance with the development of our peoples and in which full recognition of our identities is the axis of a respectful, solid and fruitful relationship.”
The president-elect of Mexico makes it very clear that under her presidency it will be essential to recognition of indigenous peoples “because that is where the root of Mexico’s cultural greatness lies.” For this reason, he insists on the need to recognize these full rights and, as López Obrador requested from the King, ask forgiveness for the excesses committed in the conquest of America.
Sheinbaum concludes by expressing her confidence that “soon” new avenues of understanding will open “based on our sovereignty and mutual respect.”
