The organization Active and Peaceful Civil Resistance (RECAP) sent a formal request to the Spanish Embassy in Mexico to reconsider any proceedings related to the issuance of residence or nationality documents in favor of Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller, the wife of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. According to the signatories, the wife of the former Mexican president has expressed on various occasions a "disdain for the contributions of Spanish civilization," which they consider incompatible with the shared values between Spain and Mexico. The representatives of RECAP also link these assertions to diplomatic incidents involving President López Obrador and his wife, which they believe have affected the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
In the letter, RECAP emphasizes that, while they respect any citizen's right to apply for Spanish nationality, they believe there are sufficient public interest reasons for the Spanish authorities to exceptionally evaluate that request. The issued document highlights that "this type of posture, arising from ignorance, political petty behavior, and the malicious attempt to establish a childish narrative," contradicts the historical and cultural ties that unite Mexico and Spain.
In cases like Gutiérrez Müller's, where conduct contrary to public order or a hostile attitude towards the Spanish state is argued, the authorities could apply discretionary criteria to deny nationality. Although RECAP's request does not have binding legal force, it could influence the analysis that the authorities conduct on the feasibility of granting nationality to public figures involved in diplomatic controversies.
In the legal context, the application for Spanish nationality can be denied for various reasons, according to the current regulations of the Civil Code and the Civil Registry Law of Spain. These criteria allow for the assessment of not only the technical fulfillment of the requirements but also subjective aspects such as "good civic conduct" or respect for the democratic and constitutional values of the country. Finally, the legislation states that applications may be denied if there are indications of fraud, lack of documentation, or if it is considered that the request affects Spain's strategic or diplomatic interests.
