Conquest Descendants Live in Mexico

UUC Kib Espadas Ancona argues the primary descendants of Spanish conquistadors and colonists reside in Mexico, not Spain. He observes recent debates about the conquest of Mexico often misattribute lineage, with both Spanish and Mexican voices incorrectly assuming contemporary Spaniards inherit the actions of conquistadors. A significant portion of those who arrived from Spain transitioned from conquering to colonizing, establishing families and leaving their genetic mark on Mexican territory.

The initial mixing of cultures, or mestizaje, often began with violence, exemplified by the story of Malinche, who was enslaved and given to Cortés as part of war spoils. Genetic evidence shows that the majority of mitochondrial DNA in central, southern, and southeastern Mexico comes from Indigenous women, with the surname Hernández—derived from Hernán Cortés—being the most common.

Ancona stresses that celebrating or justifying the brutality of conquest is unacceptable, and that acknowledging the violence is not an endorsement of it. He urges Mexicans to recognize their societal origins in systemic violence, and Spaniards to avoid claiming the actions of their ancestors.