The relationship between former colonies and their former colonial powers is one of the most complex issues in contemporary geopolitics, as evidenced by the recent tensions between Spain and some Latin American countries.

In Madrid, Spain, Argentine President Milei participated in an event during his visit to Spain on a specific date. Meanwhile, the National Assembly (Parliament) of Venezuela approved a proposal demanding that the Venezuelan government sever diplomatic, commercial, and consular relations with Spain in protest of the Spanish Parliament's recognition of the Venezuelan opposition leader as the "elected" president of Venezuela. At the end of the month, Mexico's incoming President Xinbaum declined the invitation for the Spanish King to attend his inauguration ceremony. Earlier on a certain date, Spanish Foreign Minister Álvarez announced the indefinite recall of the country's ambassador to Argentina, María Jesús Alonso, in protest of the inappropriate remarks made by Argentine President Milei against Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez and his wife during his visit to Spain.

There is a viewpoint that Spain is experiencing a diplomatic crisis in Latin America, leading to a decline in its influence in the region. However, at a deeper level, these events are essentially manifestations of the turbulence in international politics and the conflict between the ideological emancipation of Latin America and Western ideologies. Spain still maintains an undeniable influence in Latin America and remains an important fulcrum in the relationship between Europe and Latin America.

The influence of Spain on Latin America: As a former metropolis and colony, the relationship between Spain and Latin America is intricate, entangled, and mutually influential. Unlike some countries, Spain did not adopt a strategy of near extermination in Latin America, but rather a colonial approach centered on resource exploitation and cultural assimilation, which continues to influence the region in various forms today. Although they have achieved political independence, contemporary Latin American countries have, to varying degrees, ceded resources and economic sovereignty to the West. Over time, the relationship between Spain and Latin America has evolved into a dynamic balance characterized by both tension and rejection, as well as cooperation and dependence.

The post-World War II reshaping of the world order forced the majority of Latin American countries to quickly integrate into the Western economic development system. Under this context, Spain became a crucial node for Latin American countries to align with the world order dominated by the West, while Latin America served as a significant leverage for Spain to gain footing in the "rich club" of the United States and Europe and exert its influence. Consequently, both sides not only rapidly solidified their economic and cultural ties but also comprehensively enhanced cooperation in the political sphere.

In the political realm, Spain supports the efforts of Latin American countries to maintain national independence and state sovereignty, opposes external interference, and has thus earned the trust of these countries. In the economic field, Spain has successfully promoted deep integration with Latin American countries through free trade agreements, bilateral cooperation frameworks, foreign trade loans, and direct investments. Spain initially made significant investments in infrastructure and energy sectors, with countries like Mexico, Chile, and Brazil becoming important partners. Banks such as Santander and Bilbao have established extensive business networks in Latin America through direct investments and acquisitions, dominating the market. Spanish telecommunications companies have a significant influence in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. The mutual growth of the tourism economy has also deepened cultural and economic exchanges between the two regions.

In the fields of education and academia, through deep cooperation between universities and research institutions, especially in the areas of history, law, finance, social sciences, and ecology, Spain has a profound impact on Latin America. In the realms of science and innovation, fruitful results have been achieved through key collaborations in renewable energy, medical research, and agricultural technology. Additionally, the two-way migration flow further deepens the emotional ties between the two. Moreover, close cooperation has been maintained in literature, historical heritage, and the arts and film industries.

Nevertheless, the negative psychological impact of colonial history still exists in Latin American countries, and the imbalance in economic cooperation has given rise to conflicts. Multiple agreements between Spain and Latin America have lowered tariff barriers, simplified investment procedures in Latin America, and stimulated EU companies to aggressively enter the Latin American market through Spain. The EU's financial capital operation model has led to long-term occupation of Latin America's high-quality resources, forming a new form of "economic colonialism." Even Japanese and South Korean capital, acting as part of the Western camp, have infiltrated Latin American resource sectors by collaborating with Spanish financial institutions, thereby reigniting the anti-colonial consciousness of Latin American countries.

Nowadays, anti-American and anti-Western sentiments are at an unprecedented high in many Latin American countries, which in turn exacerbates the manifestation of historical issues and new conflicts between Spain and Latin American nations. A series of tensions have been ignited, plunging the Spain-Latin America relationship into a low point. Spain's shift in its strategy towards Latin America in this century, even occasionally showing a lack of restraint, is due to its inability to independently expand its business in Latin America on a large scale or exert decisive influence. Consequently, it no longer makes strenuous efforts to maintain a universally friendly strategy with Latin American countries.

With the complexity of the global governance system and the development of Latin America itself, Spain understands that it must rely on the support of the European Union and other international partners to maintain a certain influence in the region. In terms of economic strength, Spain's potential and market size cannot compete with major powers, making it difficult to dominate the Latin American market. Although Spain has a large total investment in Latin America, many Latin American countries, especially Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, have strengthened the diversification of their economies and established closer economic ties with Asia and North America, gradually reducing their dependence on Europe, particularly Spain.

In terms of political influence, the trend towards multipolarity has made international relations more complex. Latin American countries are becoming increasingly independent and more active in international affairs, actively seeking more opportunities and cooperation on the global stage, no longer relying on Spanish support. One fact is that, as a European country, Spain's position is not prominent in some newly established Latin American integration organizations, such as the Union of South American Nations () and the Pacific Alliance (). As Latin American countries gradually strengthen regional and trans-regional cooperation, they are increasingly inclined to solve problems through regional cooperation, leading to a decline in Spain's influence in the Economic Commission for Latin America ().

Additionally, with the development of globalization and the internet, the influence of other regions' cultures in Latin America has gradually increased, particularly the soft power of American culture, which has a significant impact on the younger generation in Latin America. At the same time, cultural awareness in Latin American countries is also increasing, leading to a further weakening of Spain's influence on Latin America at the cultural and social levels. Indeed, Spain maintains stable diplomatic and political relations with most countries such as Chile, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, and Cuba, and its relationship with Mexico and Argentina remains close. However, due to changes in the global power structure and the increasing autonomy and regional integration processes in Latin America, Spain is no longer capable of playing a decisive role in Latin America alone. Instead, it must function as a fulcrum, integrating into the development of relations between Europe and Latin America, as well as between China and Latin America.

Modern EU-Latin America Relations: Spain Spanish scholars and politicians have always been active advocates within the EU for closer cooperation with Latin America, and they have worked tirelessly to coordinate efforts among various parties. Since the international financial crisis, EU-Latin America cooperation has long lacked new growth. During Spain's tenure as the EU's rotating presidency, it facilitated the resumption of the EU-CELAC summit, hoping to restore and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

In fact, the EU has never given up the benefits it already possesses and those it can gain in the future. However, in negotiations, the condescending attitude often displayed by the EU and the technical barriers it sets for Latin America have increased the resentment of Latin American countries. At the same time, many Latin American countries harbor a historical distrust towards EU investors, particularly in economic sectors related to land, such as natural resource development, agriculture, and mining. Despite the strong trade relations between the EU and Latin America, many Latin American countries feel a structural asymmetry in these relations, leading them to be more cautious about engaging in deep-level economic cooperation with the EU. This guarded mentality creates an invisible investment barrier, making it difficult for economic cooperation between the two regions to achieve substantial breakthroughs at this stage.

Despite structural contradictions and disagreements, the EU and Latin America still show strong willingness to cooperate in multiple fields. Spain, with its close economic, political, and academic ties to Latin America, can still effectively establish and maintain dialogue channels. Practice has shown that Spain is capable of promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in various fields, playing a significant role in bilateral cooperation through proactive role-playing and strategic application.

In terms of culture and education, Spanish academic institutions maintain high-frequency exchanges with Latin America. This is particularly prominent in the fields of law, finance, social democracy, and ecological development, subtly influencing the cultivation of Latin American talents' values, policy formulation, and cultural understanding, thereby promoting the region's convergence towards the European model. In the business sector, joint ventures between Spain and other EU member states may resist or even undermine the commercial activities of other countries in the region, attempting to maintain their dominant positions in key areas. This phenomenon is especially evident in energy, mining, banking, and infrastructure projects, limiting the development opportunities for emerging market countries entering Latin America.

Additionally, in earlier-established regional integration organizations such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), and the Andean Community (CAN), Spain still exerts a strong influence. At the same time, as a shareholder member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Spain continues to play a significant role in supporting infrastructure development and sustainable development projects in the region, allowing it to navigate the EU-Latin America cooperation with ease.