Sánchez hosts summit as Trump lashes out over military spending

Barcelona (Spain): Progressive and democratic leaders gathered in Barcelona on Saturday to discuss restoring faith in the liberal order amid rising far-right extremism and global conflict. 

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez hosted the event, which included Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Sánchez argued for regulating social media to combat hate speech, while the shadow of Donald Trump’s unilateralism hung over the meeting. Trump criticised Sánchez on social media, mocking Spain’s financial standing and its refusal to increase military spending from 2% to 5% of the GDP. Sánchez has also denied the US use of Spanish bases for operations related to the conflict in Iran.

Policy proposals included Ramaphosa’s plan for a UN General Assembly resolution to establish an International Panel on Inequality, modelled after climate change efforts. Sheinbaum suggested governments commit 10% of military budgets to reforestation, stating nations should “plant the seeds of life” instead of war. She opposed military intervention in Cuba. The summit followed a meeting between Sánchez and Lula where they expressed concern over the impact of conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran on global human rights and energy markets. —AP