why Spain gets a pass, every single fucking time in the eyes of the West

The Spanish Empire was functionally kaput at the end of the 19th century. The US/UK take more of the blame because they gobbled up the territories that Spain used to hold. It’s the same reason why the US takes more flack for our involvement in Vietnam than the French. Just a game of hot potato. You get the blame for being the last guy to hold the bag.

I don’t think anyone is suggesting the Conquistadors are somehow absolved of blame. But Spain, as an institution, hasn’t been a global player in nearly a century.

They don’t even have the excuse of being precious little Italy

That’s exactly the excuse they have, practically speaking. And Italy gets tons of shit for being a hotbed of vile Catholicism.