The government of Spain rejected “categorically” the disqualifications made by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador against that country and Spanish companies.
He stated that the Spanish government wants to have relations based on mutual respect.
“Spain will always work to maintain the best relations with Mexico and strengthen ties with this brotherly people. The government wants relations based on mutual respect, as Spaniards and Mexicans want, without such demonstrations,” Spain’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Yesterday, President López Obrador proposed to put a pause on relations with the government of Spain, after in past six-year terms there were ‘looting’ by Spanish companies.
The Spanish ministry said Thursday that both countries are strategic partners and are united “by deep human, cultural, historical, linguistic and economic ties.”
He recalled that Spain is the second investor in Mexico and has 7 thousand companies in the country; as well as more than 175 thousand Spaniards live in Mexico and about 30 thousand Mexicans reside in Spanish territory.
“Spanish investment rises above 70 billion euros and Mexican investment in Spain exceeds 25 billion,” he said.
Read: AMLO proposes Quirino Ordaz, governor of Sinaloa, as Mexico’s ambassador to Spain
President López Obrador said yesterday that the pause will serve to “give himself some time” to respect each other and that Spain does not see Mexico as “a land of conquest.”
He added that while he wants to maintain good relations with all the governments and peoples of the world, he does not want them to steal from the country.
López Obrador mentioned the energy company Iberdrola and the construction company OHL, who he said were given an advantage over other companies in past administrations.
The head of Spain’s diplomacy, José Manuel Albares, said yesterday he was surprised by the president’s statements.
On Thursday, the president returned to the issue and clarified that he was not referring to a rupture; however, he maintained that the country should apologize to Mexico for the abuses committed by Spanish companies in past six-year terms.
He assured that his bet is to calm the relationship with the country and “enter a new stage of space.”
What we do at Animal Político requires professional journalists, teamwork, dialogue with readers and something very important: independence. You can help us keep going. Be part of the team.
Subscribe to Animal Político, receive benefits and support free journalism.#YoSoyAnimal
