U.S. President Donald Trump was not invited to the second edition of the Democracy Always forum, which takes place next Wednesday (24) under the leadership of Brazil, Spain, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay.
The event is being held in parallel to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which opened this Monday (22) in New York. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva traveled to the city on Sunday morning (21) to attend both the UNGA and the side meeting.
At the first edition of Democracy Always in 2024, organized under the theme In defense of democracy, fighting extremism, the United States did participate, as the country was then under the administration of Democrat Joe Biden.
A note published on the official website of the Brazilian government at the time stated that participants “recognized that polarization, extremism, and the spread of disinformation are transnational phenomena that corrode the social fabric and fuel violence and instability.”
This year, however, under Trump’s government, the United States has been excluded by decision of the organizing countries. The justification given is that only democratic nations are invited to the forum. Organizers point to the extremist turn taken under Trump, marked by persecution of immigrants, attacks on freedom of expression, and the dismantling of institutions.
In total, about 30 countries were invited to participate in Democracy Always, including Canada, Mexico, Kenya, and Senegal. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to attend, alongside representatives of the European Union. Discussions will focus on defending democracy, with panels addressing inequality and the fight against disinformation.
At the 2024 edition, participants included representatives from Barbados, Cape Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the United States, France, Mexico, Norway, Kenya, Senegal, Timor-Leste, as well as European Council President Charles Michel and UN Deputy Secretary-General Guy Rider.
At that time, leaders present committed themselves to strengthening democratic institutions and processes.
