Ayuso honors Cortés, fueling Spain-Mexico colonial rift

Madrid regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso held a controversial event Monday in Mexico City honoring Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, promoting the concept of "mestizaje" as a celebration of cultural mixing between Spain and Mexico. The event, originally planned to take place at the Metropolitan Cathedral, was cancelled by the Archdiocese, which stated that the production team led by former Mecano member Nacho Cano failed to obtain the necessary permits for recording inside the church. The ceremony was moved to the Frontón México, the venue where Cano's musical "Malinche" is currently staged. The event drew sharp criticism from indigenous groups, who protested outside the cathedral and demanded that Ayuso apologize for "crimes against humanity" committed during the Spanish conquest. Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, the mayor of the Cuauhtémoc district aligned with Mexico's conservative PAN party, joined the proceedings and defended the legacy of Malinche, the indigenous interpreter who played a key role in the conquest. Ayuso used the platform to criticize those who perpetuate narratives of historical grievance, stating that "mestizaje is a message of hope and joy" and that it would be foolish to foster hatred based on shared surnames. The visit marks a significant escalation in tensions between Spain and Mexico over how to address the legacy of the conquest. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador have demanded apologies from the Spanish Crown for colonial-era abuses. Ayuso's appearance, organized alongside Cano's promotional tour for "Malinche," has reignited these debates just as bilateral relations were showing signs of improvement following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's efforts to mend ties. Mexican lawmakers from the ruling morenista party have attacked Ayuso, with one intellectual filing a formal request to have Cortés's remains exhumed and sent to Spain.