Barcelona played host to an unprecedented gathering of global progressive leaders this weekend, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened what organizers billed as a “progressive CPAC” to counter the influence of right-wing movements worldwide. The two-day event brought together heads of state from Brazil, South Africa, Colombia and Mexico, alongside U.S. Democrats Senator Chris Murphy and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in a show of force aimed at defending a rules-based international order.
While no speaker directly named U.S. President Donald Trump, his presence loomed large over the proceedings. Sánchez warned of an international “reactionary wave” fueling hate speech, sexism, war and division, declaring that “the time for the reactionary, ultra-right has come to an finish.” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva echoed the sentiment, criticizing those who “call themselves patriots but put their sovereignty up for sale and call for sanctions.”
The gathering took place against a backdrop of mounting tensions between the U.S. And several attending nations. Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Colombia’s Gustavo Pinto have all clashed with the Trump administration over tariffs and migration policies, while South Africa has faced allegations of “anti-white” racism amplified by figures like Elon Musk. Meanwhile, Trump himself lashed out at Sánchez on social media, mocking Spain’s economic performance and accusing the country of contributing “almost nothing to NATO.”
European representation included German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Italian opposition leader Elly Schlein and Belgian politician Paul Magnette. Economist Gabriel Zucman, known for his advocacy of wealth taxation, also attended. Notably, European Council President António Costa withdrew at the last minute, citing personal reasons and suggesting the event was too politically charged for his institutional role.
Sánchez framed the conference as both a defensive maneuver and an offensive push to unite progressive forces under a single banner. He told activists that populist leaders “scream and shout not because they are winning but because they realize their time is running out,” arguing that their vision of global order is collapsing under the weight of trade wars, climate denial and xenophobia. The timing was no accident: Brazilian officials had reportedly urged Spain to move the event earlier in the year, ultimately settling on April to maximize impact before key international summits.
Mexico’s Sheinbaum participated in a separate forum on protecting democracies but did not join the more partisan rally on Saturday, highlighting the delicate balance some leaders face when engaging with U.S. Counterparts amid ongoing negotiations over the USMCA trade agreement. The event underscored the growing divide between nations seeking to uphold multilateral institutions and those embracing unilateral action — a rift that now defines much of contemporary global politics.
Why did Sánchez avoid naming Trump directly during the conference?
Sánchez and other leaders deliberately refrained from naming Donald Trump in public remarks, likely to maintain diplomatic decorum while still criticizing the policies and rhetoric associated with his administration. This allowed them to frame their opposition as a defense of universal principles — such as multilateralism and human rights — rather than a personal attack, which could complicate future negotiations on trade, security or climate cooperation.
What are the potential risks for Sánchez in positioning himself as a leader of the global left?
By aligning so closely with international progressive movements, Sánchez risks amplifying domestic criticism that he is neglecting Spain’s internal challenges in favor of foreign political ambitions. Opponents may portray the Barcelona conference as a distraction from economic struggles at home, potentially fueling narratives that he is prioritizing ideological solidarity over practical governance — a tension that could influence voter sentiment ahead of future elections.
