King Felipe Acknowledges Spanish Conquest Abuses

0:00It's March 17th, and here's what's happening across the world right now. Spain's King Felipe made headlines this week by acknowledging that the Spanish conquest of the Americas involved much abuse and ethical controversies. He stressed the need to view those events in their historical context without applying today's moral standards too harshly. This comes during a long-standing diplomatic tension with Mexico over the conquest that began in 1519 and ended in 1521. The dispute kicked off in 2019 when then-president Andrés Manuel López Obrador demanded a public apology from Spain and the Vatican for the deaths of many indigenous people during the conquest. Spain's massive colonial empire, once stretched across five continents, including much of Central and South America, with Mexico City built atop the Aztec capital after its fall. Relations hit a low in 2024, when new President Claudia Scheinbaum did not invite the King to her inauguration, citing Spain's refusal to, apologize formally, Spanish leaders called

1:05that snub unacceptable and skipped the event themselves, highlighting the strain between the two nations. Tensions started easing last fall though, when Spain's foreign minister recognized the pain and injustice inflicted on Mexico's indigenous peoples. He made those comments at a museum exhibit on the topic, which the King also attended this week. Falls short of an official apology from the palace, Scheinbaum said she plans to review his statements closely, leaving room for more dialogue ahead. This story is made possible by a sponsor, see the episode description, a pillow that plays your podcast, music, or white noise privately, no earbuds required, s-o-l-i-soli-pilo.com