Indigenous Organizations in Mexico City Reject Conquista Celebrations and Hernán Cortés Tributes
Mexico City, August 17, 2026 – Indigenous organizations in Mexico City have vehemently rejected recent celebrations of the Spanish Conquest and any form of homage to Hernán Cortés. This stance comes after a conservative and far-right civil organization, the Círculo Tradicionalista Celedonio de Jarauta, attempted to commemorate the Spanish victory over Mexico’s indigenous peoples with a demonstration on Saturday, August 15, despite the cancellation of the planned ‘Paseo del Pendón’ event.
Pascual de Jesús González, general coordinator of the Movement of Indigenous Peoples, Communities, and Organizations in Mexico City, expressed strong disapproval. “We do not accept any homage to those who have harmed the history of our ancestors and our peoples,” González stated in an interview with La Jornada.
Hernán Cortés: A ‘Persona Non Grata’
González reiterated the indigenous community’s long-standing opposition to honoring figures like Hernán Cortés. He recalled a previous incident where indigenous groups successfully protested a visit by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, aimed at honoring Cortés.
“When Isabel Díaz Ayuso came to honor Hernán Cortés, we went to the metropolitan cathedral to repudiate that visit. They had no choice but to cancel that tribute. Hernán Cortés is a persona non grata for us and our ancestors because he is a genocidaire,” González affirmed.
Despite the official cancellation of the ‘Paseo del Pendón,’ the Círculo Tradicionalista Celedonio de Jarauta proceeded with a smaller mobilization to mark the date. González condemned such actions, stating, “We repudiate this ‘Paseo del Pendón’; it is an activity that praises those who dispossessed our ancestors of their territory and plundered their resources. We are against people who vindicate genocidaires.”
Opposition to Ultra-Conservative Political Movements
When questioned about political parties and figures aligning with ultra-conservative movements that support such commemorations, González acknowledged their right to opinion but firmly rejected their narrative.
“They have a narrative of vindicating the genocidaires of our peoples, and well, we respect their opinion, but we do not share it. We are against vindicating those genocidaires who committed looting and spread diseases that killed many brothers of those ancestors,” he explained.
Ongoing Fight Against Discrimination
González emphasized the critical need for institutions to continue the fight against racism and discrimination, issues that remain prevalent in Mexican society.
“For many years, we have been on a journey against racism, classism, and discrimination in the city and the country. According to the National Survey against Discrimination, these problems are still very much alive,” González highlighted.
He challenged the notion of widespread respect and tolerance in the country, citing reports from UNAM and Conapred that corroborate the persistence of discrimination. “When we say there is respect and tolerance in the country, it is not true. We continue to be judged by our skin color, by the way we dress and speak,” he asserted.
The indigenous organizations continue to advocate for recognition, justice, and an end to the glorification of historical figures responsible for the suffering of their ancestors.
Source: https://www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2026/08/17/cultura/organizaciones-indigenas-de-cdmx-rechazan-celebraciones-de-la-conquista-y-homenajes-a-hernan-cortes
