During a visit to the “La mitad del mundo. La mujer en el México indígena” exhibition in Madrid´s National Museum of Archaeology, the King spoke of the complex aspects of history, saying to the Mexican Ambassador, Quirino Ordaz, that Spain committed numerous abuses during the colonial period.
The king told the ambassador that “there have also been struggles, let’s say, moral and ethical controversies regarding how power is exercised. From the very first day, that is to say, the Catholic Monarchs themselves with their guidelines, the laws of the Indies, through the legislative process, there is a desire for protection, which reality later shows is not fulfilled as intended, and there is a lot, a lot of abuse and also, as I said before, valuing the fact that from there, from that knowledge, well, we will appreciate each other more.”
The king stressed that moral and ethical debates over how indigenous populations were governed and treated began in the earliest years of Spain’s presence in the Americas. Despite legislative initiatives aimed at protecting native peoples, enforcement often fell short.
According to the monarch, the reality of those times did not always match the proclaimed principles, resulting in frequent violations and conflicts.
The king’s remarks have sparked discussion among historians, who note that such admissions are extremely rare.
In the recent past the Mexicans have often called for their former colonial master to apologise for their role in the colonisation of the Americas.
Mexico declared independence in 1821 after having defeated the Spanish armies in the country folowing a 10 year war against the Spanish crown.
The exhibition which is organised with the Casa de México, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Instituto Cervantes runs until 22nd March.