King Felipe Acknowledges Abuses in Americas Conquest

Spain's King Felipe VI acknowledged significant abuses and ethical controversies during the country's 16th-century conquest of the Americas on Monday, marking a notable statement from the monarchy amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address historical grievances with Mexico. The remarks came during an unannounced visit to an exhibition at Madrid's National Archaeological Museum, which highlights the role of women in pre-Columbian Mexican cultures.

Felipe made the comments in an informal conversation with Mexico's ambassador to Spain, Quirino Ordaz, while touring the exhibit organized jointly by Spain's Foreign Ministry and Mexico's Culture Ministry. The display features nearly 250 artifacts, many never shown outside Mexico, including sculptures of eagle and jaguar warriors, Olmec figurines, and a Mayan incense burner from Palenque. Accompanying the king were museum director Isabel Izquierdo, anthropologist Andres Ciudad, and Antón Leis García from Spain's international development agency.

"There are things that, when we study them, we come to know them, and well, with our current values, they obviously cannot make us feel proud," Felipe said, according to a video released by the...