Dionisio Gutiérrez Hosts a Summit on Freedom and Democracy in Ibero-America
From May 20 to 23, 2025, the VI Citizen Convention organized by the Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo took place in Spain, marking a significant gathering aimed at reaffirming the commitment to freedom and democracy in Ibero-America. The summit, hosted by the influential leader Dionisio Gutiérrez, served as a platform for dialogue among former presidents, intellectuals, and security agency officials from various Western states.
The event kicked off in Madrid with an exclusive dinner that set the stage for three days filled with valuable discussions and analysis. Gutiérrez opened the convention by addressing the alarming rise of populism and authoritarianism in Latin America, calling for a renewed faith in politics driven by integrity. He invoked the moral and intellectual legacy of Mario Vargas Llosa, stressing the need for liberation and democratic values in the region.
The following day at the prestigious Ateneo de Madrid, Gutiérrez further engaged in discourse with the Grupo Libertad y Democracia and the Fundación Internacional para la Libertad. During his address, he emphasized the need for a pluralistic and institutional Ibero-America, urging for the reinforcement of liberal principles amidst the ideological confusion troubling elites and the general populace.
The highlight of the summit occurred on May 22 in the Teatro Campoamor of Oviedo, where Gutiérrez officially inaugurated the VI Citizen Convention before a crowd of more than 1,300 attendees and a multitude of media outlets. His speech resonated with the audience as he declared, "Liberty is a wounded word in Latin America. We live under the false liberty of despots, who distort, manipulate, and use it as an instrument of oppression." In light of the detrimental state of affairs, Gutiérrez announced the creation of a Permanent Academic Forum that would facilitate the debate of ideas and translate them into actionable proposals for the region's advancement.
The closing ceremony honored Ibero-American migration through a significant event at the Archivo de Indianos and Museum of Emigration in Colombres, Asturias. In a poignant moment, Gutiérrez raised the Guatemalan flag, symbolizing the historic ties between both sides of the Atlantic. This gesture underscored the celebration of Ibero-American emigrants as pivotal figures in shaping identity and freedom, sealing the summit with a strong message of unity.
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