President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized a visit by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, and her comments regarding the Spanish conquest.

The friction highlights a deep ideological divide between the current Mexican administration and Spanish conservative narratives regarding colonial history. While diplomatic ties remain, the public clash emphasizes Mexico's rejection of historical perspectives that glorify the conquest of its territory.

Ayuso visited Mexico from May 5 to 6, 2026 [1]. During her trip, the Spanish politician made statements praising Hernán Cortés and the era of the Spanish conquest. Sheinbaum said these remarks were a colonial and offensive narrative that glorifies the conquest [2, 3].

Sheinbaum targeted the individuals responsible for organizing the visit, calling them "trasnochados" [4]. This term suggests the organizers were out of touch or delusional in their planning. Despite the sharp criticism of the rhetoric, Sheinbaum said Ayuso has the right to speak [4].

Reports on the intensity of the reaction vary among observers. Some accounts describe the response as a strong rebuke that labeled the statements as insulting to Mexicans [3]. Other reports suggest Sheinbaum downplayed the impact of the visit, saying that relations with Spain would not be eroded by the exchange [4].

The dispute centers on the legacy of the Spanish Empire. For the Mexican government, praising figures like Cortés is viewed as an endorsement of colonial violence. Ayuso's perspective, rooted in the conservative politics of Madrid, presents a different interpretation of the historical encounter between Spain and the Americas [2, 3].

“"Trasnochados"”

This diplomatic clash reflects the ongoing tension between modern Mexican nationalism and Spanish traditionalism. By publicly condemning the glorification of Hernán Cortés, Sheinbaum reinforces her administration's commitment to a decolonial historical narrative, signaling that while official state relations with Spain may persist, the Mexican government will not tolerate the celebration of colonial conquest as a positive historical force.