Claudia Sheinbaum on Excluding King Felipe VI from Inauguration Ceremony
Claudia Sheinbaum, the newly elected president of Mexico, addressed the absence of an invitation to the King of Spain, Felipe VI, for her upcoming inauguration ceremony scheduled for October 1. In a statement released on Wednesday, Sheinbaum clarified that the decision was influenced by the monarch's lack of response to a letter sent by the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, in 2019. This letter urged the King to apologize for the historical injustices stemming from the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Sheinbaum emphasized that the absence of a direct response to such a significant diplomatic gesture was unexpected and contrary to established norms of diplomatic relations. Instead of a formal reply, parts of López Obrador's letter were leaked to the media, a move that Sheinbaum described as unfortunate.
In her statement, Sheinbaum noted that she had recently received a call from Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Spanish Government, who reacted to the executive decision not to send any representative to the swearing-in ceremony. However, Sheinbaum's firm stance on excluding Felipe VI from the invitation reflects a broader sentiment regarding historical grievances and the importance of respectful diplomatic engagement.
As the new president prepares to take office, this incident could signal a pivotal moment in Mexico's relationship with Spain, highlighting the lingering effects of colonial history on contemporary diplomatic exchanges.
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