ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Paraguayan President Santiago Peña today warned that "freedom is threatened by the strange ideology of globalism" at the opening of the 4th Madrid Forum in Asunción, declaring that Paraguay will continue to uphold its values and traditions. This forum, held for the first time in Asunción, will continue until tomorrow, bringing together right-wing leaders from the region and Europe.

At the opening ceremony held at the Central Bank of Paraguay, President Peña took the podium to emphasize Paraguay's international stance. He stressed that "Paraguay is a nation that cherishes its values and traditions to the point of jealousy," adding, "Not only today, but always, we have fought for what we believe in with blood and tears, and we will continue to do so."

President Peña pointed out that the current threat to freedom stems from "a strange ideology called globalism, which does not seek cooperation but rather seeks to impose a single way of thinking, a worldview disconnected from our history, culture, and values." He asserted, "They try to impose upon us a 'terrible hell of sameness.' This hell of sameness claims there is no truth, only emotions, but we know that society cannot exist without truth, and that marriage, family, and community are not outdated ideas but the essence of our society."

In this context, President Peña stated that he would represent the voice of the Paraguayan people wherever he goes, and that Paraguay's foreign policy would be guided by genuine principles, not temporary interests. He also added that Paraguay would "stand firmly with Israel against the forces of evil, and that will continue at any cost."

The Madrid Forum began in 2022 and has since been held in Bogotá, Lima, and Buenos Aires. This Asunción forum is expected to host 40 panelists and over 1,500 participants.

The event is organized as part of the Charter of Madrid for the Defense of Freedom and Democracy in Ibero-America, led by Spain's far-right Vox party. This charter aims to combat "the rise of communism and totalitarianism threatening Ibero-America," and President Peña's speech is seen as conveying a message consistent with the forum's objectives. Some analysts suggest that Paraguay's hosting of the Madrid Forum is not unrelated to the recent strengthening of conservative and right-wing political forces in Latin America.

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