Leftist Leaders in Latin America Hold U.N. Event Against Conservatism

Left-Wing Leaders Rally for Democracy in New York

On Wednesday, left-leaning presidents from Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay, along with Spain’s Prime Minister, convened a conference in New York titled “Defense of Democracy, Fighting Extremism.” The discussion aimed to address the growing “risks” posed by conservative movements worldwide.

This gathering occurred alongside the ongoing 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Chilean President Gabriel Boric moderated the event and referenced a prior conference he hosted in late July.

Notably, Boric opted not to invite former President Donald Trump, despite the event’s self-proclaimed pro-democracy mission. Instead, he extended invitations to representatives from Bolivia, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Council of Europe. The event also honored the late José “Pepe” Mujica, the former Uruguayan socialist president and mentor to current leftist leader Yamandu Orsi.

Boric emphasized the need for reforming multilateralism to create a “new system of international governance.” He discussed topics like digital governance collaboration, the creation of a multilateral youth observatory, and the importance of international think tanks focused on democracy and fiscal cooperation, particularly in the lead-up to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

“Seeing everyone together today gives me hope,” Boric stated. He emphasized the need to move past mere criticism, saying, “We have to communicate positively and share our beliefs.” He raised questions about why progressive governance tends to foster social peace and equitable growth while safeguarding democratic values and human rights.

Brazil’s President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been engaged in politics for decades, touched on the importance of active participation in democracy. He urged all attendees, including Boric and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, to assess their daily contributions to strengthening democracy. Lula mentioned his early political experiences and the grassroots organizing that shaped his party.

While addressing democracy, Lula chose not to criticize the political persecution of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, or other conservative figures. Instead, he raised reflective questions about failures within democracy itself, pointing to a disconnect between political leaders and the communities that support them.

“What did we not do to strengthen our democracy?” he queried. He expressed concern that leftist leaders sometimes cater to adversaries rather than their own supporters, which, he argued, is a failure of the democratic process. He stressed the need for introspection to counter the negativity and extremist rhetoric currently on the rise.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro joined the conversation, critiquing Trump’s rhetoric, which he described as “murderous,” and argued for the necessity of combatting lies that proliferate among the far-right. He linked prevailing fears—regarding climate change, women’s freedoms, and immigration—with a global tilt toward extremist ideologies, advocating the need to face these fears to secure democracy.