Former heads of state from Spain and Latin America will convene in Miami to examine how societies can protect public well-being without compromising democratic freedoms in the digital and AI era.
MIAMI, Fla., October 28, 2026 — Miami Dade College (MDC) will host the XI Presidential Dialogue of Grupo IDEA on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, bringing together former presidents and other prominent leaders from the Americas and Spain to examine how digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), political polarization and evolving security threats are affecting democracy and civil liberties.
The program will take place at MDC’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature two panel discussions, concluding with the presentation of the 2026 Sebastián Piñera Prize for Freedom to Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado. Learn more about the Sebastián Piñera Prize for Freedom and its 2026 recipient.
The event will be conducted in Spanish, with simultaneous English interpretation, and streamed on MDC Live.
“Miami Dade College is proud to host the XI Presidential Dialogue, bringing together leaders from across the Americas and Spain to exchange perspectives on some of the most pressing issues shaping our societies,” said Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College. “This year’s focus on artificial intelligence is especially fitting for MDC, as a global leader in AI education and workforce development. We look forward to engaging our students, faculty, staff and fellows from our Institute for Freedom in the Americas in meaningful conversations about how AI can be used responsibly to advance progress while safeguarding individual freedoms and democratic institutions. This dialogue reflects MDC’s role as a convener of diverse ideas and perspectives that help shape our collective future and strengthen the democratic values that unite us.”
Under the theme “How Can We Protect Well-Being Without Sacrificing Freedom in the Age of Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence?” the dialogue will examine how democratic societies can address emerging threats while safeguarding constitutional institutions, individual rights and public trust.
“The realities in Spain and the Americas, together with the experience of the dictatorships associated with twenty-first-century socialism, have brought into question the importance of the democratic, constitutional state governed by the rule of law. This model appears to be weakening as the conquest of markets accelerates, along with the resulting dismantling of borders and national sovereignty. Meanwhile, amid a global war of narratives, the West is allowing itself to be seduced by alternative, authoritarian models,” said Asdrúbal Aguiar, Secretary General of IDEA Group.
The discussions will address the influence of social media and AI on public opinion, the erosion of institutional trust, political polarization and the tension between security and individual freedoms. Participants will examine how governments can counter cyberattacks, organized crime and hybrid warfare while safeguarding democratic rights, and how to regulate digital platforms and AI without compromising freedom of expression or enabling censorship.
The gathering will feature a distinguished group of former heads of state and government, including:
José María Aznar, former prime minister of Spain
Laura Chinchilla, former president of Costa Rica
Jamil Mahuad, former president of Ecuador
Jeanine Áñez, former president of Bolivia
Hipólito Mejía, former president of the Dominican Republic
Federico Franco, former president of Paraguay
Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, former president of Bolivia
Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, former president of Costa Rica
Álvaro Uribe, former president of Colombia
Víctor Bisono, minister of foreign affairs, Dominican Republic
Luis Almagro, former secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS)
Media Registration
Media representatives interested in attending the XI Presidential Dialogue must register in advance. RSVP is required. Please complete the media credential request form.
Additional information regarding media access and event logistics will be provided to confirmed attendees
XI PRESIDENTIAL DIALOGUE: 2026 PROGRAM
8 a.m. | Registration
9 a.m. | Official Inauguration of the XI Presidential Dialogue
Madeline Pumariega, president, Miami Dade College and the Institute for the Freedom of the Americas
Nelson J. Mezerhane Gosen, trustee, IDEA Democrática Foundation and publisher of Diario Las Américas.
Víctor Bisono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic
9:30 a.m. | Presentation of the Presidential Dialogue
Asdrúbal Aguiar, Secretary General, Grupo IDEA
José María Aznar, Former President of Spain
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Panel I: Freedom and The Rule of Law Vs. Stability in the Americas: Where Do Liberal Democracies Stand?
Speakers: Laura Chinchilla, Costa Rica; Jamil Mahuad, Ecuador; Jeanine Añez, Bolivia and Hipólito Mejías, República Dominicana.
Moderator: Idania Chirinos, NTN24
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Panel II: Freedom of Expression and Information, Corporate Power and Economic Freedoms: Who Controls the Digital Space and Its Surveillance Capitalism?
Speakers: Federico Franco, Paraguay; Jorge Tuto Quiroga, Bolivia; Miguel Ángel Rodríguez E., Costa Rica and Álvaro Uribe V., Colombia
Moderator: Claudia Gurisatti, NTN24
12.30 pm. – 12:45 pm | Closing Ceremony, Presentation of Prize to María Corina Machado
“The Future of the West and Freedom”: Declaration of the IDEA Group
Remarks by Luis Almagro, former Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS)
Presentation of the 2026 Sebastián Piñera Prize for Freedom to Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
EVENT DETAILS
What: XI Presidential Dialogue of Grupo IDEA
Theme: How Can We Protect Well-Being Without Sacrificing Freedom in the Digital and Artificial Intelligence Era?
When: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Livestream: MDC Live
Where: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Auditorium, Building 1, Second Floor, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami, FL
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize, and has been ranked #3 among Top Public Institutions in the Southern Region by U.S. News & World Report. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $5 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design. MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 125,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.
XI Presidential Dialogue Media Contacts:
O’Connell & Goldberg PR:
Leslie Franco: rnehring@oandgpr.com. Cell phone: 954-592-9108
Nikki Fortoul: nfortoul@oandgpr.com. Cell phone: 954-658-7721