Nine former heads of state and government from Spain and Latin America are among the participants of the XI Presidential Dialogue of the IDEA Group, held this Tuesday, November 10, at Miami Dade College in Florida, with an agenda focused on the defense of democracy, individual freedoms, and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and new technologies.
The meeting, organized by the Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (Grupo IDEA), includes among its main topics the situation in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, three countries whose political systems have faced scrutiny due to restrictions on political rights and fundamental freedoms.
The public event takes place at the Wolfson campus of Miami Dade College, in downtown Miami, and includes two discussion panels, in addition to the presentation of the Sebastián Piñera Award for Freedom 2026 to María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize 2025 laureate.
Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua at the center of the dialogue
The forum began on Monday, November 9, with a dedicated working session focused on analyzing the political challenges in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, as well as the prospects for a democratic transition in those countries.
According to the information shared about the meeting, the deliberations included testimonies from Rosa María Payá, a Cuban activist and founder of Cuba Decide; María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader; and Juan Sebastián Chamorro, a former Nicaraguan presidential candidate who remains in exile.
Payá arrived at this edition of the forum after presenting the initiative "Cuba at the Threshold" in Madrid, a proposal that outlines a roadmap for a potential democratic transition on the Island.
The project includes four stages: liberation, stabilization, reconstruction, and democratization. Among its proposals is the establishment of a transitional government lasting between 18 and 36 months, with no possibility of extension, as well as a Parliament composed of 51 members and nine technical committees.
The activist has advocated for the possibility of political changes in Cuba occurring sooner than many anticipate. "Cuba is closer to freedom than many imagine," she stated recently.
Chamorro has denounced the closure of political participation spaces in Nicaragua and the consolidation of power by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The opposition member, who suffered political imprisonment before being exiled, has insisted on the need to maintain international pressure on the Nicaraguan government.
Nine former leaders discuss freedom and artificial intelligence
The public session on Tuesday revolves around the central question: “How can we protect wellbeing without sacrificing freedom in the digital age and the era of artificial intelligence?”
According to the official program released by Miami Dade College, the nine former heads of state and government announced are José María Aznar (Spain), Jorge «Tuto» Quiroga and Jeanine Áñez (Bolivia), Jamil Mahuad (Ecuador), Álvaro Uribe (Colombia), Federico Franco (Paraguay), Hipólito Mejía (Dominican Republic), Miguel Ángel Rodríguez and Laura Chinchilla (Costa Rica).
Among the guests are also Luis Almagro, former Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), and Víctor Bisonó, representative of the Dominican government.
The official inauguration was scheduled for 9:00 AM, featuring remarks from Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College; Nelson J. Mezerhane Gosen, associated with the IDEA Democrática Foundation; and Víctor Bisonó.
Subsequently, the program featured a presentation by Asdrúbal Aguiar, the Secretary General of the IDEA Group, and former Spanish President José María Aznar.
Two panels on the rule of law and control of the digital space
The first panel, titled "Freedom and the Rule of Law versus Stability in the Americas: Where Are the Liberal Democracies?", brought together Laura Chinchilla, Jamil Mahuad, Jeanine Áñez, and Hipólito Mejía, moderated by journalist Idania Chirinos from NTN24.
The discussion addresses the tensions between security, political stability, and respect for democratic institutions, in a regional context characterized by polarization and the strengthening of authoritarian rhetoric.
The second panel, dedicated to freedom of expression and information, corporate power, and economic freedoms, raises a question about the control of digital space and what is referred to as surveillance capitalism.
This session features Federico Franco, Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, and Álvaro Uribe, with journalist Claudia Gurisatti as the moderator.
Among the matters on the agenda are the influence of social media and algorithms on public opinion, the loss of trust in institutions, cybersecurity, and the risks of technological regulation becoming a mechanism of censorship.
The meeting also examines how to respond to threats such as organized crime, cyberattacks, and influence operations without undermining constitutional rights or individual guarantees.
Quiroga and Almagro call to strengthen the democratic opposition
In statements prior to the meeting, several participants shared their views on the political future of Latin America and the prospects for change in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
Former Bolivian President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga expressed his confidence that 2027 could become a decisive year for the region.
"Venezuela will once again be a land of grace, Cuba and Nicaragua will be free, and throughout our Latin America, every lung will breathe freedom, every heart will beat with democracy," expressed Quiroga, according to statements collected by Diario Las Américas.
Luis Almagro, for his part, urged Cuban and Nicaraguan exiles to strengthen their organizational capacity and build leadership that can influence the political situation in their respective countries.
The former Secretary General of the OAS stated that internal political action in both territories is currently "impossible" and advocated for the urgency of "building leadership capable of generating political effects within both countries."
Laura Chinchilla had also warned about the risks that the growing acceptance of authoritarian governments poses to democratic systems, particularly when the pursuit of security takes precedence over respect for institutions and fundamental rights.
María Corina Machado honored with the Sebastián Piñera Award
One of the central moments of the program is the presentation of the Sebastián Piñera Award for Freedom 2026 to María Corina Machado, in recognition of her political career and her defense of democracy in Venezuela.
The distinction is named after the former Chilean president Sebastián Piñera, who passed away in February 2024, and it recognizes individuals committed to democratic values and fundamental freedoms. In 2025, it was awarded to Luis Almagro.
Machado, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, has played a prominent role in the Venezuelan opposition and in the calls for free elections and democratic guarantees.
The ceremony is scheduled for the closing of the event, along with the final remarks from the organizers and the presentation of a declaration by the IDEA Group titled "The Future of the West and Freedom."
A declaration on the future of democracy
The XI Presidential Dialogue takes place at a time of significant challenges for democracies in Latin America, as technological advancements alter the ways of political communication, the flow of information, and the possibilities for surveillance over citizens.
Asdrúbal Aguiar, Secretary General of the IDEA Group, has warned about the weakening of the constitutional state of law and the appeal that authoritarian models gain in an international landscape marked by the confrontation of narratives and technological transformation.
The official program includes the presentation of the statement "The Future of the West and Freedom," although its final content will be known only once it is released by the organizers.
The event is supported by the institutional backing of Miami Dade College and the Nelson J. Mezerhane G. Chair for Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights.
Related videos:
Filed under: