by EuroNews
It’s published
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez began his tour of Latin America in Chile on Monday. This included participation in the International Forum on Defence and Conference of Democracy related to the promotion of agreements between the EU and Mercosur.
Government sources say the trip is part of Spain’s strategy to strengthen relations between the EU and Latin America.
Speaking at the “Schem Pres of Democracy” forum hosted by Chilean President Gabriel Borik, Sanchez called on progressive Latin American leaders to “advance” and “attack” the rise of the far right.
Spanish leaders warned that democracy is threatened by a “coalition of interests between the oligarchs and the far right.” He said this represents a “real threat” in both America and Europe.
Sanchez condemned “international hatred and lies” and said he spread across both continents, describing it as a “moral obligation” to protect democratic values in all respects.
As a major course of action, Sanchez proposed strengthening democratic institutions, combating disinformation and reducing inequality. He also announced that Spain will hold the next edition of the summit this year in 2025 in Santiago, Chile.
Chilean leader Borik said the modern threat to democracy is not limited to military force, but includes more nuanced elements. He said this includes misinformation, extremism, corruption and inequality.
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva at the forum urged progressive governments to respond to “specific and urgent actions” facing “new anti-democratic attacks.”
Colombian President Gustavo Peter empathized with the leaders gathered at the forum for a greater understanding of key issues such as the climate crisis, artificial intelligence, world peace, and the defense of democracy and freedom.
At the forum, Latin American leaders and Sanchez also met invited experts such as American economists and Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz, philosopher Susan Nieman and Korean economist Ha Jong Chan.
More than 300 representatives from the Chilean civil society organization also participated.
The goal of the forum is to promote joint reflection on the status of democratic institutions and to propose cooperation measures among participating countries. The initiative stems from a previous conference held at the UN General Assembly last year and is being promoted by Sanchez and Silva.