Spain and Brazil defend “peaceful dialogue” among Venezuelans and reject “unilateral measures” against Cuba

Eduardo González The governments of Spain and Brazil, meeting this Friday in Barcelona for their first bilateral summit, expressed “their willingness to work together in favor of peaceful, inclusive political dialogue led by Venezuelans themselves” and voiced their “concern at the intensification of unilateral measures” against Cuba. This is stated in the Joint Declaration adopted at the end of the Spain-Brazil Summit, which marked the first high-level meeting (HLM) between Spain and a Latin American country and resulted in the signing of fifteen agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in strategic areas such as the economy, science, culture, and social policies. “Brazil is one of the world’s great democracies, a key economic power in the international system, an essential player in the BRICS group, and an economic, political, and social engine for all of Latin America and the Caribbean,” declared Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at a joint press conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “The relationship between Spain and Brazil goes far beyond the strictly bilateral,” he continued. “Our countries are destined to be driving forces that bring the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean even closer together—two regions that share values, essential aspirations, and that have much to gain from working together, especially now, because an increasingly fragmented world demands greater unity between two continents that share principles, values, and a very similar worldview,” he emphasized. Furthermore, he stated, both governments share “the same vision of the world, one that is anchored in the defense of democracy, international cooperation, respect for international law, especially human rights and peace.” “While others reopen old wounds, what we want is precisely to close and heal them and dedicate ourselves to what is important: curbing and reducing inequality in our societies and between nations, responding to the great challenges facing humanity, particularly the climate emergency, and giving a humanist and responsible perspective to technological development on our planet,” he added. In the same vein, Lula stated that the two governments are an “example that it is possible to build solutions to the problems that affect us without giving in to the empty promises of extremism.” “We are working to reduce inequalities within and between countries, and we want a world where sovereignty and the rules of multilateralism are respected. Brazil and Spain are on the same side,” he declared. Agreements Spain was represented at the Spain-Brazil Summit by the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares; the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun; the Minister for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, Óscar López; the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant; the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz; the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas; the Minister of Equality, Ana Redondo; and the Minister of Youth and Children, Sira Rego. During the meeting, the two governments signed, according to Sánchez, “fifteen agreements” on issues “that are key in the 21st century,” ranging from critical minerals to information and communication technologies and satellite connections. In economic matters, Moncloa reported that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business signed memoranda of understanding on critical minerals and on promoting public policies aimed at micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship; the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility signed an agreement on air services; and the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration formalized a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in information and communication technologies and a work plan in the area of public services. For its part, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food agreed on a memorandum for the adaptation of the Retinta cattle breed to the climatic and productive conditions of Brazil. In the area of science and culture, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities signed a memorandum of understanding. for the establishment of a bilateral Work Plan on science, technology, and innovation for the period 2026-2028. The Ministry of Culture formalized cultural cooperation agreements and agreements on culture and sustainability, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in consular matters. In the social and human rights sphere, the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy signed a memorandum of understanding on the social and solidarity economy, the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration adopted a joint decision to extend the scope of the social security and welfare agreement and an Action Plan for 2026-2027 for the implementation of the MOU in the area of social security, and the Ministry of Equality signed a memorandum on gender equality and the eradication of violence against women and an Action Plan on racial equality. Joint Declaration Furthermore, the two Governments adopted a Joint Declaration which, among other points, establishes as a priority “the defense of democracy, of the human rights and the rule of law in the face of the threat posed by the advance of extremism, authoritarian movements, and disinformation,” and underscores “the centrality of the United Nations” and the “firm commitment” of both countries “to the purposes and principles of the Charter, rejecting unilateralism and refraining from the threat or use of force against the independence and territorial integrity of States.” They also reaffirm their conviction that multilateralism is the only possible way to address the major challenges of today’s world and highlight “the urgent need for reform of the Organization, including the Security Council, to make it more representative, effective, and transparent, with greater accountability and increased participation of underrepresented or unrepresented regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa.” In this regard, they affirm “their shared conviction that the time has come for a national of a Latin American and Caribbean State to once again hold the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, after a 35-year gap,” and recall that “the post has never has been occupied by a woman.” Regarding current affairs, in addition to expressing their “particular concern about the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East” and about “the serious humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts and protracted humanitarian crises in various regions of the world,” they also expressed their “serious concern about the disruption to energy markets caused by current military activities in the Middle East, which, besides their regrettable humanitarian consequences and violations of international law, could generate even deeper economic repercussions.” Therefore, they advocate for “a sustainable energy model” and the importance of “reducing dependence on fossil fuels.” With respect to Latin America, the two governments expressed “their willingness to work together to promote peaceful, inclusive, and Venezuelan-led political dialogue” and, regarding Cuba, “shared their concern about the profound economic and energy crisis facing the island and reaffirmed their commitment to jointly strengthen humanitarian aid to the population, with the support, when appropriate, of the United Nations system.” They also recalled “the need to guarantee at all times respect for International Law, including International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights,” and expressed their concern “at the escalation of unilateral measures applied against the country, stressing that diplomacy and dialogue must be prioritized for the resolution of differences.”

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