Trending Now - Lula and Sánchez Lead Progressive Leaders' Peace Summit in Barcelona
WHO:
AP News - Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez are leading the meetings.
AP News - Other leaders attending include European Council President António Costa, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
ABC News - U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy is expected to attend the Global Progressive Mobilization.
WHAT:
AP News - Lula and Sánchez signed 15 agreements related to trade, satellite connections, and the exploitation of rare earths needed for industry.
AP News - Lula stated, “Brazil and Spain are side by side in the trenches together,” emphasizing their collaborative efforts.
ABC News - Lula remarked that the aim for the upcoming gatherings is to discuss how “democracy must go beyond just voting and bring real benefits to people’s lives.”
AP News - Lula and Sánchez are meeting to discuss the fate of the democratic order and the rise of the populist far right.
AP News - They signed 15 agreements related to trade, satellite connections, and the exploitation of rare earths.
ABC News - The IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy is aimed at combating extremism, polarization, and misinformation.
ABC News - The Global Progressive Mobilization is expected to have 3,000 attendees and will feature discussions on wage inequality and improving election results for progressives.
WHERE:
AP News - The meetings are taking place in Barcelona, Spain, specifically at a former royal palace and a sprawling conference center.
ABC News - The first two editions of the IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy were held at the United Nations and in Santiago, Chile.
WHEN:
AP News - Lula's visit to Spain began on Friday, April 17th, 2026, and will last for two days.
AP News - The IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, 2026.
ABC News - The first edition of the IV Meeting was launched in 2024.
WHY:
AP News - Lula and Sánchez criticized the U.S. and Israel's actions in Iran, which have led to rising energy prices, and expressed a desire to work for peace.
AP News - Lula and Sánchez aim to reinforce multilateral order and work for peace amid rising populism and far-right politics.
ABC News - The gatherings are intended to show a united front against the populist far-right and to discuss the state of democracy.
HOW:
AP News - The gatherings are intended to be a show of force by traditional democratic leaders against the populist far-right, as noted by Pol Morillas, director of CIDOB.
AP News - The meetings will include speeches and round tables dedicated to various progressive issues.
ABC News - The format for the Global Progressive Mobilization was discussed by Sánchez and former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven at a meeting of European Socialists last year.
(UPDATED April 17, 2026 23:12 UTC)
Lula and Sánchez have signed 15 agreements focusing on trade, satellite connections, and the exploitation of rare earths essential for industry, with Lula emphasizing their partnership by stating, “Brazil and Spain are side by side in the trenches together.” They also expressed concerns about the actions of the U.S. and Israel in Iran, which have contributed to rising energy prices, while aiming to promote peace. The upcoming gatherings are designed to showcase a united front by traditional democratic leaders against the populist far-right, according to Pol Morillas, director of CIDOB.
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(UPDATED April 17, 2026 21:15 UTC)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez are currently leading discussions in Barcelona, where they aim to address the challenges facing democracy and the rise of populism. The two leaders have signed 15 agreements related to trade and technology, while the upcoming IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy will feature around 3,000 attendees discussing critical issues like wage inequality and election outcomes for progressives. Other notable attendees include U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and leaders from Mexico, South Africa, and Colombia, all united in their efforts to combat extremism and misinformation.