Foro Madrid summit held in Santiago

The V Regional Meeting of Foro Madrid convened in Santiago, Chile, on September 4, 2026. Organized by Spain’s Fundación Disenso, the summit brought together political leaders, think-tank representatives, and civil-society figures from over 25 countries across Europe, the United States, and Ibero-America.

The event was held at the Academia de Guerra, a location noted for its historical significance during the Operation Condor era. Attendees included prominent figures such as Spain’s Santiago Abascal of Vox, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and Portugal’s André Ventura, alongside members of the Bolsonaro family.

During the summit, President Milei framed political discourse as a “battle between good and evil” and made controversial remarks regarding Chile’s history, specifically defending the historical context of the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. Milei also used the platform to criticize Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and former Argentine President Mauricio Macri.

International speakers addressed various geopolitical issues. Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, characterized the migration crisis in Ceuta as an “invasion by Morocco” and called for U.S. support for Spain. U.S. officials also addressed the gathering; Undersecretary Sarah Rogers attributed the 2019 Chilean social unrest to a “policy of resentment,” while Ambassador Brandon Judd referenced the application of the “Donroe Doctrine” regarding the current administration.

The summit occurred amidst a period of increased influence for far-right ideologies in Chile. The Republican Party and the National Libertarian Party—a recent split from the former—together secured 42 of the 155 seats in recent parliamentary elections, representing nearly 20% of valid votes. This electoral success was supported by intensive digital strategies, including social media campaigns and YouTube usage.