The Spanish Foreign Ministry has acknowledged ‘injustice’ in the colonization of Mexican natives, though it has not issued a formal apology. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares publicly expressed regret over the suffering of Indigenous peoples during the colonization period, emphasizing the pain and injustice they endured. The Spanish conquest of Mexico began in 1519 with Hernan Cortes leading an expedition that overthrew the Aztec Empire. Armed with superior weapons and aided by disease, the conquistadors decimated Indigenous populations as they seized land and resources. The colonizers sought gold and power in the New World, repressing pre-Columbian cultures and replacing temples with churches. Alba, during the opening of an exhibition on Indigenous Mexican art, acknowledged the injustice and regret, dedicating the showcase to the Indigenous peoples. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum remarked that this admission was significant, stating that recognizing historical wrongs strengthens nations rather than weakens them. She emphasized that acknowledging history, recognizing grievances, and reclaiming the past as part of a nation’s story empowers governments and peoples. In 2019, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had previously requested an apology from Spain, but it was rejected, straining relations between the two countries for years.