Barcelona, Spain, Apr 18 (EFE). – A dozen progressive leaders from around the world on Saturday called for concrete action to defend democracy and urged reform of the United Nations to make it more democratic and capable of responding to wars and authoritarian trends.
“The UN cannot remain silent and simply watch what is happening in the world,” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said during the closing of the 4th summit “In Defense of Democracy.”
The summit, co-led by Lula and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, brought together leaders from Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, and Uruguay, along with representatives from other progressive governments.
During the summit, Sánchez urged progressives worldwide to actively defend democracy against mounting challenges, warning against passively observing violations of international law and what he described as the normalization of the use of force.
A More Representative United Nations
Sánchez said participants shared both concern and responsibility to defend democracy amid repeated challenges to international law.
He and Chilean President Gabriel Boric supported a symbolic and political proposal: appointing a woman for the first time as UN secretary-general to succeed António Guterres.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at a parallel progressive forum in Barcelona, emphasized the need to expand representation in the UN Security Council, including greater participation from African countries and other underrepresented regions.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also revived a proposal previously presented at the G20 to allocate 10 percent of global military spending, amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars, to a global reforestation program.
“Instead of sowing war, let us sow peace. Let us sow life,” Sheinbaum said.
Lula went further, arguing that the UN no longer reflects its founding purpose and criticizing unilateral decisions by Security Council members without broader consultation.
“If we do not discuss this, nothing will change. The trend is for things to get worse,” Lula said. “No president of any country, no matter how powerful, has the right to impose rules on others.”
He warned that unilateral decisions, or even “a president’s tweet,” could threaten global stability.
Not an Anti-Trump Summit
Although US President Donald Trump was widely seen as an implicit reference during discussions, several leaders stressed that the gathering was not aimed at any single individual.
Lula, however, was blunt. “We want no more emperors. I am bothered by the return of leaders who believe they own the world.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the summit aimed to offer “an alternative for the world,” rather than oppose Trump directly.
“This meeting should serve as a beacon amid global confusion and disorder, helping chart a course toward life rather than death,” Petro said.
Dominican Republic Justice Minister Antoliano Peralta Romero also said the gathering was “not necessarily” directed against Trump, noting his government would not have attended if that had been the case.
Support for Cuba
The situation in Cuba also featured prominently, with several leaders opposing any military intervention and calling for dialogue.
Sheinbaum proposed a declaration against military intervention in Cuba and called for peace and diplomacy.
She also highlighted Mexico’s longstanding opposition to the US embargo, recalling that Mexico spoke out against it in 1962 when others remained silent.
Lula echoed those concerns, urging an end to the blockade.
“We must stop the blockade of Cuba and let Cubans live their lives. We cannot remain silent,” he said.
The next summit is scheduled for 2027, with Mexico offering to host it.
Sheinbaum suggested the meeting should focus on “an economy centered on well-being” and building democracies that better respond to people’s real needs. EFE
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