Spain's Salamanca hosts anti-NATO forum uniting far-right and communists

Hispanism and Socialism: The Anti-NATO Forum Uniting Falangists and Communists in Salamanca

In Salamanca, at the Víctor Jara bookstore, representatives from Frente Obrero, Falangists, Carlists, Francoists, and Catholic communists gathered for two days under the umbrella of the First Encounters of Vanguardia Española. The event, titled "Hispanism and Socialism," antiestéticatured Santiago Armesilla, Juan Manuel de Prada, and the controversial Alejandro Cao de Benós, among others. The meeting served to stage a rapprochement between sectors usually opposed, united by a common denominator: frontal opposition to NATO and rejection of Anglo-Saxon "globalism."

The forum, which lasted two days, included presentations on the "specific socialist model of North Korea" and analyses of "Anglo-Saxon dominance." The mix of attendees, described by some as "colorful," highlights the permeability of certain discourses at the extremes of the political spectrum. The presence of Cao de Benós, known for his ties to the North Korean regime, added an exotic component to the gathering, which also served to present books and strengthen ties between groups that, on paper, have little in common.

What Unites Falangists and Communists in Salamanca?

The short answer is NATO. The long one is the rejection of an international order perceived as an imposition by Washington and Brussels. At the meeting, it was argued that the Atlantic Alliance is an instrument of domination that drags Europe into foreign wars and destroys national sovereignty. This thesis, repeated in various tones, allowed sectors that would kill each other under any other circumstance to share a table.

The event was not without controversy. The presence of figures like Cao de Benós, linked to North Korean propaganda, was criticized by some attendees, who see these alliances as an exercise in being a "useful idiot" for foreign interests. However, organizers defended the forum's plurality as proof that "resistance" against globalism does not understand traditional labels.

The "North Korean Model" as a Reference

One of the most striking presentations was dedicated to the "specific socialist model of North Korea," presented as an alternative to global capitalism. The intervention, led by Santiago Armesilla and other speakers, argued that the North Korean regime has managed to maintain its sovereignty despite external pressures, an argument received with interest by the audience. The presence of Cao de Benós, who has lived in the Asian country, provided a first-hand vision, though not free of controversy.

These approaches, mixing nationalism and socialism, have been labeled by some critics as an ideological "mess." The difficulty of fitting the North Korean experience into the framework of "Hispanism" was one of the points that generated the most debate among attendees, who mostly shared the rejection of NATO but disagreed on alternative models.

The Shadow of NATO and "Globalism"

The central axis of the forum was criticism of NATO, presented as the armed arm of a "globalism" seeking to dilute national identities. In this sense, it was argued that the Atlantic Alliance has served to drag Europe into conflicts that do not benefit it, such as Ukraine, and to subject European countries to US interests. This vision, shared by far-left and far-right sectors, has been the glue holding together the colorful group of attendees.

The presence of Juan Manuel de Prada, who analyzed "Anglo-Saxon dominance" and "submission" to its interests, reinforced this line of argument. His words were applauded by an audience that sees NATO as a threat to Spanish sovereignty and peace in Europe. The idea that Spain must recover its "Hispanidad" and move away from supranational structures was one of the most repeated messages.

The "Dream Team" of Resistance

The composition of the forum has been described ironically by some observers, who called it a "dream team" of anti-NATO resistance. The mix of Falangists, Carlists, Francoists, and Catholic communists caught the attention even of the attendees themselves, who acknowledge the strangeness of sharing space with people of such disparate ideologies. However, all agree that the common enemy justifies the alliance.

The event also served to present books and strengthen ties between groups that otherwise would hardly sit down to talk. The Víctor Jara bookstore, the venue for the meeting, became a hotbed of debates and contacts, with future collaborations in mind. The lingering question is whether these conjunctural alliances can be sustained over time or will dissolve when the common enemy ceases to exist.

What Role Does North Korea Play in This Forum?

North Korea was one of the star topics of the meeting, presented as an example of resistance against imperialism. Cao de Benós's intervention, having lived in the country, served to defend that the North Korean regime has managed to maintain its independence despite international sanctions. This vision, however, is not shared by all attendees, some of whom view the North Korean regime as an authoritarian model difficult to fit into "Hispanism."

The debate on North Korea highlighted internal tensions within the forum. While some defended the model as a viable alternative, others expressed reservations about a system they consider far removed from the Spanish tradition. The discussion, although heated, did not prevent participants from agreeing on the need to seek allies anywhere in the world to counter "globalism."

The Future of Anti-NATO Resistance

Holding this forum in Salamanca has highlighted the existence of a still diffuse political space seeking to articulate an alternative to NATO and "globalism" from heterodox positions. The convergence of such disparate sectors suggests that discontent with the current international order is deep enough to generate alliances unthinkable a few years ago. It remains to be seen if these initiatives will translate into concrete projects or remain testimonial meetings.

The presence of figures like Armesilla, Cao de Benós, or De Prada indicates there is a receptive audience for these messages. The mix of nationalism and socialism, while uncomfortable for many, finds echo among those who see NATO as a threat to sovereignty and "globalism" as the cause of all evils. Time will tell if this "dream team" can overcome its differences and build something lasting.