Indigenous Groups in Mexico Urge President Sheinbaum to Propose Law Against Genocide Glorification Amid Controversy with Madrid Leader

Mexico: Indigenous Organizations Call on Sheinbaum to Halt Genocide Glorification

Cover image «Out with Ayuso from Mexico,» demand collectives outside the Metropolitan Cathedral / Photo: Luís Castillo. La Jornada de México

From the Templo Mayor, indigenous peoples demanded that Sheinbaum urgently send a Bill to prohibit the glorification of genocide and figures like Hernán Cortés, and rejected the ‘colonialism and racism’ of Díaz Ayuso.

Photo: El Charro-Político

In a statement issued on May 8, 2026, from the Templo Mayor in Mexico City, indigenous organizations made a resounding call to President Claudia Sheinbaum to urgently send a Bill to Congress that prohibits the glorification of genocide, as well as the exaltation of historical figures linked to such crimes, including Hernán Cortés. This information was originally published by Reporte México, an independent journalism outlet.

In the same document, the indigenous peoples expressed their strong rejection of what they termed as «glorification of denialism, colonialism, and racism» by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, Spain. The signatories warned that such speeches revive colonial views and racial animosities against indigenous communities.

See also / Diplomatic Controversy: Madrid President (PP) Travels to Mexico to Honor Indigenous Genocide Perpetrator Hernán Cortés

The organizations reaffirmed that Hernán Cortés’s arrival on the continent triggered territorial dispossession, resource exploitation, slavery, genocide—crimes that remain unpunished—as well as economic impoverishment and the denial of indigenous cultures and religions. Therefore, they demand historical truth and a common standard of justice.

As part of their demands, the indigenous peoples formally requested that President Sheinbaum submit to the Congress of the Union a project to classify and sanction the glorification of genocide, explicitly referencing historical perpetrators like Hernán Cortés. The measure aims to prevent any discourse that justifies or glorifies these crimes.

Furthermore, they called upon the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez; King Felipe VI; and the government of Mexico, to establish a Historical Clarification Commission regarding the events that occurred during Spanish colonial domination, aiming to repair the damage caused to the indigenous peoples of the country.

Lastly, they invited the International Summit on the Doctrine of Discovery and its Consequences for Indigenous Peoples, which will take place from May 18 to 22, 2026, in Mexico City, to thoroughly address all these issues. The statement concludes with the rallying cry: «Never again a Mexico without us!»

This statement is endorsed by: Movement of Peoples, Communities, and Indigenous Organizations, National Movement (MPCOI MN); Movement for Unification and Triqui Struggle (MULT); National Coordinator for the Development of Indigenous Peoples (CONADEPI); Movement of Indigenous Organizations of the Country (MOIP); Tzeltal Community; United Zapotecs; Isthmus Zapotec Group; Tumbi Purépecha Group; Renewal of Zapatista Indigenous Artisans (RAIZ); Movement of Artisans of the La Ciudadela Artisan Market; Intercultural Parcel; Union of Indigenous Zapotec Vendors (UVIZ); Mixtec and Mazahua Women; Organization of Translators, Intercultural Interpreters, and Managers in Indigenous Languages, A.C. (OTIGLI); Indigenous Movement of Mexico City (MICDMX); National Indigenous Unity (UNI); Union of Indigenous Translators; Indigenous and Popular Movement of Mexico City.

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