Internal Rift in Partido Popular over Ayuso’s Mexico Trip. Ayuso's visit to Mexico and her remarks on security have sparked criticism within Partido Popular. Party leadership considers the length of her trip excessive. The conflict coincided with the final stage of the Andalusian campaign.
Tension is rising within the Partido Popular (PP) following the high-profile trip of Madrid president Isabel Díaz Ayuso to Mexico. Her ten-day visit, which ended with harsh accusations against both Mexican and Spanish authorities, has become a topic of discussion and criticism among the party leadership. According to EL PAÍS, many party officials believe that such a prolonged business trip was unjustified and only deepened internal divisions.
Ayuso traveled to Mexico to participate in events dedicated to defending the Spanish Conquest, but the trip ended ahead of schedule. The Madrid president stated that her safety and that of her delegation had been compromised, blaming the governments of Pedro Sánchez and Claudia Sheinbaum. Within the PP, this rhetoric sparked confusion: some leaders are convinced Ayuso overestimated the impact of the scandal and, in doing so, damaged her own image.
The length of the visit caused particular irritation. According to one of the PP's national leaders, a ten-day trip is rare for regional heads, who usually limit themselves to five days with a full business agenda. Party members note that even similar visits by other autonomous leaders, such as Juan Manuel Moreno to China, were not accompanied by such loud statements and did not provoke this level of reaction.
Officially, the PP leadership maintains neutrality, emphasizing respect for the autonomy of regional presidents. However, sources note that Ayuso's strategy sharply contrasts with the line of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who avoids public conflicts with foreign leaders and prefers to focus on domestic issues such as healthcare and social policy.
Internal party disputes have intensified against the backdrop of the final stage of the Andalusian election campaign. Within the PP, there are concerns that the scandal surrounding Ayuso distracts attention from key issues and hinders efforts to build a unified strategy. At the same time, the Andalusian branch of the party believes that the conflict with Madrid does not affect them directly and may even benefit Juanma Moreno by highlighting differences in governance style.
The context of diplomatic relations between Spain and Mexico further complicates the situation. In recent years, official Madrid has made efforts to restore dialogue, including through King Felipe’s participation in joint initiatives. Some PP members believe Ayuso’s actions run counter to these efforts, although they acknowledge that the monarch’s remarks about 'abuses and ethical controversies' during the Conquest provoked a mixed response within the party.
The surge of intra-party conflicts is nothing new for Génova: previously, the PP has already had to respond to abrupt moves by Ayuso. Against this backdrop, some party officials note that even statements by the head of Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, who supported the Sánchez government on the hantavirus crisis, caused less irritation than the Mexican episode. Details on how such crises affect relations between the regions and Madrid can be found in the article about the standoff surrounding the ship with the infected. on russpain.com.
Overall, the situation surrounding Ayuso’s trip to Mexico highlights the differences in approaches within the Partido Popular and demonstrates how sharply any deviations from the agreed line are perceived in the party. In the near future, the PP leadership is expected to continue seeking a balance between supporting regional leaders and the need to maintain unity ahead of key elections.
