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Spain's King Felipe VI visited an exhibition on Indigenous women in Mexico and made a rare acknowledgment of abuses in his country's colonial past. The King stated that the 'Laws of the Indies' were intended for protection but were not complied with, leading to significant abuse, emphasizing the need to learn from history.

King Felipe VI Visits Exhibition on Indigenous Women in Mexico

King Felipe VI of Spain visited the exhibition 'Half the World: Indigenous Women in Mexico' in Madrid. Hosted by the National Museum of Anthropology, the exhibition highlights the rich cultural heritage and lives of Indigenous women in Mexico. The King carefully examined the artifacts and listened to explanations from the curator, showing deep interest. This marks one of the rare occasions when the Spanish monarchy has openly addressed its colonial history.

Acknowledgment of Limitations in Colonial Era 'Laws of the Indies'

During his tour, King Felipe VI shared his candid views on Spain's colonial past. He acknowledged that the Catholic Monarchs and Queen Isabel, through their legislative process and 'Laws of the Indies,' intended to protect Indigenous populations. However, the King emphasized that these laws were not complied with as originally intended in reality, leading to 'a lot of abuse.' He further stated that while there are aspects of the past that cannot be a source of pride from a modern perspective, it is essential to learn lessons from history through objective and rigorous analysis.

*Source: YouTube: ABS-CBN News (2026-03-17)*

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