The President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has clarified a day after the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, that «the pause continues» in relations with Spain, because he considers that there is no «attitude of respect» on the Spanish side.
«I sent a respectful letter to the head of state, to the King of Spain, and he did not even have the attention to answer me,» he lamented at a press conference, alluding to the missive sent in March 2019 and in which he demanded that Spain admit its «historical responsibility».
In this regard, he has pointed out that Pope Francis answered «all» the letters he has sent him. «And we did not necessarily coincide,» he has added.
In the case of Spain, the Mexican president believes that, in order to open «a new stage in relations», it is «important» that there be a «gesture of humility» in which «the extermination, the repression, the murders of the native peoples» are recognized.
López Obrador has complained that there are those from Spain who question this request for an apology. «They say that we have to thank them for coming to civilize us,» he said during his daily appearance before the media.
He has also pointed out that Spanish companies act «with the same attitude of arrogance» and warned that the situation has changed in Mexico with respect to the policies of previous governments. «What we do not want is to be seen as a land of conquest», he added.
López Obrador affirmed that he does not prevent «any company» from doing business in Mexico, as long as it is «lawful», and described the Spanish people as «first class».
