Latin American leaders and the Spanish president, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and the Spanish king Juan Carlos I are at the Iberoamerican Summit in Montevideo this week. And apparently not all is roses between the Spanish leader and several Latin American presidents. In fact, Zapatero is taking hits both from leftist (ironic, considering he’s such a lefty himself) and right wing leaders.

First up for a punch is Colombia’s Alvaro Uribe, who, along with leaders from Bolivia and Ecuador criticized Spain’s strict immigration laws which make it difficult for Latin Americans to visit or reside in the country, highlighting certain contradictions:

The most outspoken was Colombian leader Alvaro Uribe who criticized Europe (represented by Spain at the event) for “being restrictive with our immigrants but ineffective at controlling the entry of drugs.”

Uribe also criticized Zapatero for his statement that global climate changes were more of an issue than terrorism.

Bolivian president Evo Morales recounted a personal incident in Spain that many an immigrant — to Spain, the U.S. or any rich country — has encountered: being detained and questioned at the airport because he didn’t have $500 dollars on his person to prove that he was not an illegal immigrant. He also pointed out the hypocrisy of Spain’s strict immigration policy, given that a few decades ago (during the Spanish Civil War and later dictatorship) the immigration patterns were reversed: it was Spaniards who sought refuge in Latin American countries, where they were welcomed with open arms. “There weren’t any walls,” said Morales.

In spite of all the strife, Spain’s Las Provincias reports that the 22 countries that were present at the Summit all signed an agreement called

“The Montevideo Commitment”, a ten-page document that lists 25 measures and commitments to put in order, systematize and facilitate immigration.

Via / Las Provincias