Arcángel has apologized for his controversial comments about Spain's colonial past during a show in Madrid last week.
In a post shared on his Instagram Stories, the reggaeton artist wrote in Spanish that he “never meant to disrespect Latin America or its Indigenous peoples” after saying Spain should not have to apologize for colonizing the Americas.
Arcángel wrote that, despite expressing his love for Spain and Latin America, “this does not mean ignoring the pain and historical wounds that existed.”
“I believe we can understand both things: the cultural legacy that remains, as well as the suffering endured by millions of people,” he wrote. “My message has always been one of respect and unity—not division.”
While performing at Madrid’s Movistar Arena on his La 8va Maravilla World Tour, Arcángel, who is Dominican, fiercely spoke out in defense of Spain’s colonial legacy.
“So those assholes who go around saying that Spain owes America an apology?” he said. “What kind of nonsense world do you live in, you son of a bitch? ‘Oh, they stole the gold and all that.’ And what about the streets, the schools, and the churches they built so that you could be educated today? Where did that come from, you son of a bitch?”
“There's no need to apologize to anyone,” he added. “I'm proud. I adore my motherland, Spain.”
Rauw Alejandro seemingly responded to Arcángel’s comments in a post on X by suggesting that cultural exchange did not have to lead to bloodshed, slavery, and the erasure of identities or beliefs.
“But that's not how it happened, and that can’t be forgotten,” Alejandro wrote.
