Felipe VI’s speech to representatives of the Spanish-American Academies of History included a subtle message to Claudia Sheinbaumthe president of Mexico who never tires of repeating that Spain must apologize to his country for “the Spanish invasion”.
It is true that the King did not at any time refer to the Mexican leader or his country, but in the current context and taking into account the body to which he was addressing, his words seem to have a clear recipient.
“We, Ibero-Americans, are a unity in diversity, a culture of cultures. Our relationship is so deep that it allows us, even, talk frankly about our possible disagreements −inevitable moreover in so many centuries of common history− but always respect based on friendship” said the monarch.
Felipe VI spoke this Thursday in Trujillo (Cáceres) at the Meeting of Latin American Academies of History. In his speech, he also said that current times of “global challenges” require “a coordinated effort from all.” SO, “the focus of our relationship should be present-orientedin order to prepare or build an even better future, of greater shared benefit”.
The King also asked that Latin American countries focus on “affinities” to “achieve pragmatic, useful and balanced responses; answers that reach everyone.”
Language and shared culture, the monarch insisted to representatives of the Ibero-American Academies of History, are “the rock on which our fraternity is built, the element that structures our identity”.
Faced with accusations launched in recent weeks by the new president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, Felipe VI appealed to the feat developed by Spain since 1492, known as “the first globalization“.
From that moment on, he recalled, culture and knowledge circulated “through the arteries that connected the world, with examples such as the so-called Indian Race that connected Spain and the America, starting from Cádiz and arriving in Veracruz. Or the Manila Galleon. , which “united the Philippine archipelago to New Spain”.
He also mentioned the liberal Constitution of 1812, which placed national sovereignty the Spaniards “of both hemispheres”without making any distinction or subordinating citizens of overseas territories.
In front of the academics, Felipe VI recalled the words he had spoken 10 years ago at the Cortes Generales, during his proclamation speech as King of Spain.
“We are united by history and very intense ties of affection and fraternity with the Ibero-American countries,” he declared on this occasion. “In recent decades, we have also been united by growing economic ties and narrower worldviews. But above all We are united by our common language and culture. “An asset of immense value that we must promote with determination and generosity. »
With this intervention, Felipe VI inaugurated the meeting that brings together in Trujillo (Cáceres) the representatives of the History Academies of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic . , El Salvador, Uruguay and Spain.
The meeting will continue until Monday, in different locations: the Obra Pía de los Pizarro Foundation (Trujillo), the Royal Academy of History and the Casa de América (Madrid). It will serve to share perspectives to address the vision of our common reality, as well as to contribute to strengthening ties between them and generating spaces for collaboration through shared projects, as reported by Casa del Rey.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the director of the Royal Academy of History, the president of the Obra Pía de los Pizarro Foundation, the Minister of Education, Professional Training and Sports, the President of the Government of Extremadura and the mayor of Trujillo. .
