Madrid regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso awarded Chilean President José Antonio Kast the Community of Madrid’s International Medal on Nov. 2, ahead of an Ibero-American summit involving 22 countries.
At the ceremony, Ayuso described Kast as a defender of security and democratic institutions. She said the two sides “defend the same things,” and contrasted Chile with Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
Kast called security the state’s first duty and said vulnerable people suffer most when the state fails to provide it. He also praised Madrid as an open and prosperous region. The medal is honorary; the Community of Madrid has previously awarded it to Argentine President Javier Milei.
The award drew criticism from Manuela Bergerot, a spokeswoman for Más Madrid in the regional assembly. Bergerot called it “the membership card of her far-right international.” MercoPress reported that a group protested outside the regional government headquarters. Ayuso met Milei during an Oct. 21 visit to Madrid.
Spain’s royal household has scheduled Kast to meet King Felipe VI on Nov. 3. The 30th Ibero-American Summit, set for Nov. 4-5, brings together Latin American countries with Spain, Portugal and Andorra.
The Ibero-American General Secretariat said technical preparations for a political declaration and an action program had ended. Neither document has final approval; leaders are due to discuss them at the summit.
