Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez gathered left-wing world leaders in Barcelona with a clear message: democracy is under attack from a "reactionary wave" that feeds far-right movements and contributes to ongoing wars.

Among those present: European Council President Antonio Costa, leaders from Brazil, South Africa, Colombia, Uruguay, and Ireland. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is also expected, weeks after Spanish King Felipe VI acknowledged "numerous abuses" during Spain's conquest of the Americas.

"Peace and the values that support it are under attack from reactionary movements, authoritarian regimes, disinformation, and threats to democratic institutions," Sanchez declared. Brazilian President Lula responded: "When democracy declines, Hitler appears."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro was even more direct: "Spain leads Europe on this issue," accusing Israeli PM Netanyahu of bringing Trump into "a bloc destructive to humanity." The summit clearly opposed American-Israeli military action against Iran.

The irony? While the left gathered in Barcelona, the far right held its own meeting in Milan with Jordan Bardella and Geert Wilders - one week after Viktor Orban's electoral defeat in Hungary. Two summits, two visions for Europe's future. The Balkans, as always, sits somewhere in the middle - waiting to see who wins.