King Felipe VI's gesture toward Mexico—in which he acknowledged the "abuses" committed during the conquest of the Americas—has had an initial, palpable effect on thawing relations. According to the Royal Household, the monarch has received an invitation from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to attend the World Cup, which her country will host from July 11 to 19. In a letter, Sheinbaum expresses that this sporting event "provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the depth and unique character of the ties between Mexico and Spain, forged by a historical brotherhood." The invitation was welcomed at the Zarzuela Palace "within the framework of the fraternal relationship of friendship between the two countries." At a press conference this Tuesday, Sheinbaum indicated her willingness to accept the monarch's invitation and welcomed his remarks earlier in the week during a conversation with the Mexican ambassador to Spain while visiting the exhibition.Half the world. Women in indigenous Mexico. The Mexican government had been demanding for years an apology to Spainbecause of its colonial past. Although Felipe VI did not apologize, the Mexican president interpreted his words—in which he admitted that there are behaviors that, viewed through the lens of current values, are not something to be "proud of"—as "a gesture of rapprochement" within the framework of a process that "must continue to be worked on."

The US Congress passed two formal resolutions in 2008 (the House of Representatives) and 2009 (the Senate) apologizing to African Americans for slavery and racial segregation. In 2022, Belgium also apologized in the Congo for colonial abuses. Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom have also made similar gestures. In contrast, in Spain, every step in that direction infuriates the right wing. This is precisely what happened after King Felipe VI said on Monday, at the opening of an exhibition on indigenous women in Mexico, that during colonization there was "much abuse" and "ethical controversies." In response to these words, the leader of the People's Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, called it "nonsense" to pass judgment on what happened in the 15th century. And Vox spokesperson Pepa Millán asserted that the colonization of America is "the principal evangelizing and civilizing work in universal history" and that the rights of the "subjects" were always respected. Feijóo's words demonstrate a complete lack of empathy for the peoples of the American continent, where the legacy of colonialism is still visible today. And Millán's are simply false and lack the slightest historical rigor. However, both harbor the outdated vision of Spanish national Catholicism and an undisguised Western supremacism, which considers the indigenous peoples of America to have been culturally inferior and in need of being "civilized" by Europeans.

For several years, Spanish state nationalism breathed a sigh of relief: it had found in Felipe VI a king even more suitable and more devoted to the unyielding principles of Spain's sacred unity than his father, Juan Carlos, who was too frivolous and too fond of money, women, and the high life. More austere and more preparedAs they often repeated (nationalisms always tend to thrive on believing their own lies), Felipe VI ascended to the throne in 2014, precisely as a consequence of a scandal involving skirts, elephants, and money starring his father, and had his baptism of fire—perhaps it would be more accurate to call it that—in 2017, when he delivered an infamous speech criminalizing Catalan independence just after the equally infamous police actions of October 1st. It was, as it has been called countless times, one How scary! pronounced by the head of Spain, which kicked off the judicial and police persecution, and the media and social breakdown of Catalan separatism, which has taken place during the following years (and to which a part of the separatists themselves have collaborated, with idiotic fervor).

The Spanish royal household has posted a video on social media showing and featuring Felipe de Borbón. Recorded standing in a circle with the Mexican ambassador to Madrid, he informally comments that yes, during the Conquest, there were "many abuses" and "controversies." Pope Francis has already apologized to Mexico for the atrocities committed in the name of the Catholic Church during evangelization, not to mention the apologies offered by the King of England to his former colonies. In other words, Spain is very late. So late, in fact, that to turn things around, it must begin with a gentle communication maneuver: in the supposedly informal realm of social media, without the weight of an official statement, much less a retraction of the narrative of October 12th, so as not to disrupt the breakfast of readers of theABC nor to Aznar, who made that clever joke about the name of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador:Andrew, on the part of the Aztecs; Manuel, on the part of the Maya; López, a mixture of Aztecs and Incas, and Obrador"From Santander," celebrated by the claque that listened to her.

Closer relations between Spain and Mexico after the clash over the colonial pastKing Felipe VI admitted this Monday in a conversation with the Mexican ambassador to Madrid, Quirino Ordaz, that Spain committed "many abuses" during the conquest of America, despite the "desire to protect" of the Catholic Monarchs. This is evident in a video posted by the royal household on its Instagram and X accounts, where the Spanish monarch uses his knowledge of history to learn lessons for the future.

Under the alias "El Mencho," Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes hid, leader of one of the most powerful gangs in Mexico and one of the most wanted fugitives in the world. who died at age 59 in police custody this Sunday, after being shot by Mexican special forcesDespite the far-reaching tentacles of his power, the feared drug trafficker maintained a low profile in the eyes of the world: so much so that only three photographs of him, taken years ago, were known to exist. The United States offered a reward of 15 million dollars for any information leading to his arrest.

The death of Nemesio Oseguera CervantesThe leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known as El Mencho, has unleashed a wave of violence in Mexico that has left roads blocked, buildings burned, and at least 55 dead. The Mexican government confirmed that at least 25 members of the Mexican National Guard and about 30 members of the CJNG died in the unrest. In addition, some 70 cartel members were arrested in states such as Jalisco and Michoacán (in the west), according to Mexico's Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch. Authorities say they have restored calm after road blockades, vehicle fires, and coordinated attacks were reported Sunday night (Monday in Catalonia) in several locations in Jalisco and neighboring states. "Today there is more peace and quiet, and there is a government, there are armed forces. There is a security cabinet and a great deal of coordination. So, you can rest assured that peace, security, and normalcy are being protected in the country," said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at a press conference this Monday.

Mexican federal authorities reported on Sunday the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, in a special operation in southwestern Jalisco, on Mexico's west coast. According to security sources, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNG) was killed by the Mexican army following a coordinated operation between the armed forces, the National Guard, and intelligence units, which had been tracking his movements for weeks. El Mencho was considered the world's most wanted and dangerous drug trafficker and was a top priority target for the United States. His death represents the biggest blow to drug trafficking in Mexico's recent history. The operation was reportedly carried out early Sunday morning, Mexican time, when an armored convoy blocked access to a rural area used as a refuge for drug traffickers. Authorities explained that agents from various agencies deployed an operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, to arrest the criminal, who had repeatedly escaped capture, thanks to intelligence gathered by various agencies and "supplementary information" provided by the United States. During the operation, the military was attacked, and in retaliation, they killed four criminals. Three others, who were seriously wounded, were airlifted to Mexico City. They died during the transfer. Among the latter was El Mencho, who was around 60 years old. Official sources emphasize that the objective was to capture him alive, but that armed resistance made the outcome inevitable. Born in Michoacán, Oseguera Cervantes rose through the ranks of organized crime to become the undisputed leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most powerful and violent organizations in the country. Under his leadership, the group diversified its businesses—synthetic drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and smuggling—and expanded across much of Mexican territory. The United States offered a multimillion-dollar reward for any information leading to his capture, and Interpol considered him one of the main drivers of regional instability. The figure of El Mencho symbolized the power of the JNG and its ability to confront the state. He survived arrest attempts and military offensives, consolidating a leadership based on fear and internal discipline. Several analysts point out that his downfall could trigger a struggle for control of the cartel among rival factions, with the risk of fragmentation and increased violence in the short term. Under his leadership, the JNG was characterized by a strategy of extreme violence against rivals and security forces, as well as by a significant logistical capacity for trafficking synthetic drugs (such as fentanyl and methamphetamine), cocaine, and heroin into the United States.

"I want to share my story to prevent other female footballers from going to Vllaznia and experiencing this situation." This is the complaint made by Claudia Cid (Mexico, 1997) after enduring a harrowing ordeal in Albania during her first adventure away from Mexico. Women's football continues to progress and grow worldwide. More and more countries, more teams, and more players can enjoy professional status. However, there is still a long way to go. A clear example is what Cid is experiencing, having had to resort to social media to finance surgery on her cruciate ligament and meniscus, injuries she sustained while training with her team.

While US extortion has left Cuba mired in a deep energy crisis, has forced many airlines to halt flights to the country due to a lack of fuelMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has extended an olive branch to the Cuban regime. This Friday, she declared that Mexico is willing to create an air bridge so that planes can refuel in the country and thus maintain their flights to the Caribbean island. Sheinbaum also indicated that the proposal could facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, which Mexico began sending this week and which the Mexican president assured would continue in the coming days. However, Sheinbaum also clarified that these shipments do not include oil. "If Cuba requests it, these conditions would apply, of course," the Mexican leader stated during her morning press conference, in which she made the launch of this air bridge contingent on a formal request from Havana. Furthermore, Sheinbaum noted that flights between Mexico and Cuba are continuing, and explained that aircraft can refuel in Mexican territory to maintain operations and even expand logistical cooperation. "They can load up, they can come to Mexico," the country's president pointed out. This option could help Havana mitigate the drop in tourism, a consequence of the cancellation of some flights in the country, which could have a major impact on an already severely damaged economy.

After the military intervention in VenezuelaDonald Trump is now pointing the finger directly at Mexico. The US president has asserted that Washington is about to launch "ground" attacks against drug cartels, which, in his view, "run Mexico." "We'll start attacking the cartels on the ground," Trump stated in an interview with Fox News. "The cartels are running Mexico. It's very, very sad to see and realize what has happened in this country. But the cartels are running it and they're killing between 250,000 and 300,000 people in our country every year," the Republican said. In response to these statements, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will work to "strengthen communication" with her US counterpart, and recalled that just a few days ago, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio himself "spoke of the good coordination on security matters" between the two countries. In fact, the Mexican state has its own strategy for combating drug trafficking and several agreements with Washington on this matter.

2025 will close with yet another stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists. According to the latest report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 67 journalists (3 women and 64 men) have been killed this year. This data reaffirms that journalists continue to be persecuted and threatened, most often under authoritarian regimes and governments that violate the right to information. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been responsible for the deaths of 29 journalists, making this region the most dangerous in the world for this profession. Meanwhile, organized crime has positioned Mexico as the second most dangerous place in the world for journalists, with 9 deaths. RSF emphasizes that 2025 is the deadliest year for journalists in Mexico in the last three.

José María Murià is a curious case. Born in Mexico City in 1942, his native language is Catalan, which he has never stopped speaking and writing. But he is Mexican and a Mexican nationalist. His father, the writer and politician Josep Maria Murià i Romaní, who went into exile in 1939, had been a member of Macià's Catalan State and has a library in Guadalajara named after him; and the writer Anna Murià She was his sister. A member of the Mexican Academy of History and the Institute of Catalan Studies, José María Murià considers himself a native of Guadalajara, where he has presided over the Colegio de Jalisco. He has also held political positions, notably eight years in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His influence was decisive in Catalonia being chosen as the guest of honor at the 2004 edition of the International Congress of Catalan Culture. Guadalajara International Book Fairand convinced then-President Maragall to make the pavilion exclusively Catalan, not shared with Spain. Two decades later, Barcelona had the same honor. The success of 2004 was key to repeating the operation at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2007. Murià is an expert on the history of Jalisco. He has now published a book in Catalan in which, through the lens of tequila, he explores the history of his country. Tequila (Base Publishing).

For Salvador Isla's government, Mexico is a "strategic" bridge between Catalonia and Latin America. The celebration of the International Book Fair (FIL) The Guadalajara International Book Fair, with Barcelona as the guest city, provided the perfect opportunity for the Catalan president to travel to Mexico to strengthen relations and explore new avenues for collaboration. This weekend, Isla began his trip in Mexico City, where he visited the Catalan government delegation and met with the Orfeó Català de Mèxic, one of the historic Catalan exile associations. The president of the Generalitat recalled the election of President Josep Tarradellas in exile to the Orfeó's guestbook. Simultaneously, on Sunday, Isla also attended an event with relatives of Catalan exiles, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the death of dictator Francisco Franco. There, he praised the "fraternal spirit" of the Mexican people during the Republican exile and cited it as an example for future asylum policies. The main event takes place this Monday: the opening of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), where the mayor of Barcelona, ​​Jaume Collboni, will also be present. The trip will last until Thursday and includes a speech by Isla in front of the Mexican Senate.

Why on earth is there such a sense of optimism in Guadalajara and Mexico? With limited public transportation, Guadalajara's traffic is chaotic. I ask a resident of Guadalajara about its dilapidated urban landscape, and they respond ironically, "Urban planning? What exactly do you mean?" The standard of living is low. Social problems are glaringly obvious. Cartel violence remains a menacing scourge. And yet... there's a palpable sense of hopeful optimism. What's going on? It can't be solely due to the International Book Fair (FIL), right?

Although he has had a literary and personal relationship with Mexico for more than three decades, Lolita Bosch (Barcelona, ​​1970) will not be able to travel to the Guadalajara International Book FairHis involvement in denouncing drug trafficking and its financial and political implications through numerous books, interviews, and public appearances led to him receiving threats starting in 2012, and his visits to the country became increasingly complicated, to the point that he can no longer return because it would endanger his life. He speaks to the shocking A normal life (La Campana, 2025).

A love ballad is playing in the taxi. Luis Miguel, one of the most popular icons of Mexican pop music of recent decades. The traffic is heavy, as it is every weekday mid-morning in Guadalajara, a city of more than one and a half million inhabitants preparing for one of its busiest annual cultural events, the International Book Fair.

More than six years ago, actor Josep Linuesa (Barcelona, ​​1966) went to Mexico City to work on an audiovisual production for Telemundo. The pandemic caught him and his partner, actress Mónica Corral, on the other side of the Atlantic. Then the actor He tweeted asking for help. To launch a YouTube project, he wrote: "Friends, I'm 54, I'm an actor, and I haven't had a job in over a year." The message went viral, and he laments that it was also misrepresented: "Some newspapers said I was begging in Mexico City! I was just asking for followers!" His channel aimed to document life in Mexico and its ties to Catalonia. "We interviewed refugees from the Spanish Civil War; I learned incredible stories like that of..." Rosa Duran, But after all that work, it didn't bring in a single euro. It was maddening, hence the call for help."

Spain's first significant shift in its narrative regarding its colonial past. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares acknowledged the "contrasts" in history this Friday, admitting that "there has been pain and injustice towards the indigenous peoples." He made these remarks in Madrid during the opening of an exhibition entitled Women in Indigenous MexicoThis allows us to read these words as an attempt to reach out to the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who since the beginning of her term He has repeatedly insisted that Spain must apologize for the excesses committed during colonization.Sheinbaum herself responded to the minister, assuring him that today's declaration is "very important" and calling it a "first step."