[UPDATED] Spanish envoy on Columbus commess: History can't be rewritten

Spanish Ambassador to TT Javier Carbajosa has said removing the statue of Christopher Columbus in downtown Port of Spain would not right the wrongs of the past. He is, instead, urging all stakeholders to understand the importance of preserving such historical relics.

In a statement to the media from the Embassy of Spain in Port of Spain on Tuesday, Carbajosa described the defacing of the statue as "unsettling" and said he was amazed that such attention was given to defacing public property during the pandemic.

On Monday, the statue was covered with a garbage bag and a sign bearing the word "murderer" was set at the base.

He asserted that while he understood local government authorities were ultimately responsible for deciding whether or not the statue would be removed, he urged them to consider the years of diplomatic ties shared by Spain and TT.

"Honestly speaking, my first reaction was one of amazement: Really?!! At a time in which covid19 is still among us and the consequences on the economy of TT seem uncertain. Really?!!! Is this an urgent problem for TT NOW?

"History cannot be rewritten to the taste of the consumer. It is what it is, with its lights and shadows, and it is part of our legacy. We should accept it and learn from it. My point is that trying to rewrite history and pretend that things never existed is, in my opinion, a futile and hypocritical and dangerous endeavour."

Carbajosa also said in his country, relics of Roman occupation and unpopular rulers were still present.

He also questioned how far revisionists would be willing to go, saying removing the statue could mean renaming of cities and villages in TT.

"I guess that the next step would be to remove the name from the streets and highways of some other “unfavourable” historical figures such as Abercromby, Picton and Churchill among others. Let’s not forget our French friends and, in the same vein, let’s also rename Blanchisseuse and Champs Fleurs.

"Should we take the argument to its extreme, I guess that all the signage at the airport and throughout the country, in Spanish and in English would have to be removed and replaced with another language, since they represent the vestiges of 'an oppressing force.'"

He said the removal of the statue would cause “great sadness” for his government as the two countries have had close diplomatic ties over the years.

Contacted for comment, founder and chairman of the Cross Rhodes Freedom Project Shabaka Kambon, one of the advocates for the statue's removal said Carbajosa was out of place for his comments on the statue.

"The only thing he didn’t say was that we should return to the nearest plantation," Kambon wrote in a response to Newsday.

Referring to the exhumation of Spanish fascist dictator General Francisco Franco in 2019, Kambon questioned why Carbajosa was not similarly outspoken.

"His previous silence around fascist violence against whites in his own country seems all the more absurd when one considers that he is so vociferous when it comes to colonial violence against black lives in ours.

"The day is long past, when we would bow to the threats of an emissary of a former colonial power. We will not waver in our resolve to end the veneration of the architect of native genocide and the transatlantic slave trade in TT and across the entire Caribbean."

Contacted for comment on Monday, Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez said the city council will make a decision on the statue after a discussion on Wednesday.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Spanish Ambassador to TT Javier Carbajosa has said removing the statue of Christopher Columbus in downtown Port of Spain would not right the wrongs of the past. He is, instead, urging all stakeholders to understand the importance of preserving such historical relics.

In a statement to the media from the Embassy of Spain in Port of Spain on Tuesday, Carbajosa described the defacing of the statue as "unsettling" and said he was amazed that such attention was given to defacing public property during the pandemic.

On Monday, the statue was covered with a garbage bag and a sign bearing the word "murderer" was set at the base.

He asserted that while he understood local government authorities were ultimately responsible for deciding whether or not the statue would be removed, he urged them to consider the years of diplomatic ties shared by Spain and TT.

"Honestly speaking, my first reaction was one of amazement: Really?!! At a time in which covid19 is still among us and the consequences on the economy of TT seem uncertain. Really?!!! Is this an urgent problem for TT NOW?

"History cannot be rewritten to the taste of the consumer. It is what it is, with its lights and shadows, and it is part of our legacy. We should accept it and learn from it. My point is that trying to rewrite history and pretend that things never existed is, in my opinion, a futile and hypocritical and dangerous endeavour."

Carbajosa also said in his country, relics of Roman occupation and unpopular rulers were still present.

He also questioned how far revisionists would be willing to go, saying removing the statue could mean renaming of cities and villages in TT.

"I guess that the next step would be to remove the name from the streets and highways of some other “unfavourable” historical figures such as Abercromby, Picton and Churchill among others. Let’s not forget our French friends and, in the same vein, let’s also rename Blanchisseuse and Champs Fleurs.

"Should we take the argument to its extreme, I guess that all the signage at the airport and throughout the country, in Spanish and in English would have to be removed and replaced with another language, since they represent the vestiges of 'an oppressing force.'"

He said the removal of the statue would cause “great sadness” for his government as the two countries havehasd close diplomatic ties over the years.

Contacted for comment on Monday, Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez said the city council will make a decision on the statue after a discussion on Wednesday.