Liberals in Asia and Latin America are united in the belief that, during times of authoritarianism, it is crucial for us to stand together and steadfastly uphold our democratic values and principle

Now more than ever, in the face of new threats such as disinformation — a strategic tool used by contemporary autocratic regimes like Russia and China — unity and conviction in the defense of freedom are essential and urgent.

With this purpose, delegations from the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Latin American Liberal Network (RELIAL), with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, visited Brussels to seek strategic allies. The objective of this mission was to open new spaces for dialogue on the matter and strengthen international cooperation in the face of emerging global challenges, including disinformation, soft power strategies, and the growing influence of actors like China and Russia.

As networks that bring together political parties, think tanks, and civil society organizations, we must assume a committed role in providing coordinated responses based on liberal values against this new transnational offensive.

The collaboration between CALD and RELIAL is allowing us to gain a deeper understanding that autocracies not only control and censor information within their borders, but also actively and strategically use it to manipulate narratives, influence public opinion, and weaken democratic institutions from the outside. For this reason, we cannot underestimate the problem: disinformation is part of a larger issue that includes corruption and political interference.

The CALD and RELIAL agenda in Brussels included a series of high-level meetings with representatives from the European Parliament and the Renew Europe parliamentary group, the European Liberal Forum (ELF), as well as with academics and disinformation experts. These meetings were a valuable opportunity to exchange views, experiences, and strategies regarding the European Union’s Strategy against Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), and to analyze the growing challenges posed by systematic disinformation campaigns driven by autocratic regimes.

Discussions also addressed key issues such as the protection of press freedom against information manipulation, strengthening democratic resilience in the face of foreign interference, and developing effective legislative tools to counter these threats. Furthermore, liberal approaches to disinformation were explored, highlighting the importance of strategic communication, international coordination, and the central role of global alliances in defending democracy.

In this context, RELIAL representatives also shared the work of the Permanent Seminar for Research on China’s Influence in Latin America, a space dedicated to the critical analysis of China’s regime expansion in the region. They presented their latest findings on disinformation, the increasing prominence of China in Latin American economies, and concerns about the authoritarian models Beijing is exporting.