Rajoy and Lasso deliver the same speech at a leaders' forum in Buenos Aires

The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, and the former president of the Spanish Government Mariano Rajoy gave the same speech this Friday in two pre-recorded interventions, in a forum organized by the Freedom and Democracy Foundation in Buenos Aires and in which center-right Ibero-American leaders participated.

“Dear presidents and friends: everyone receives a very cordial greeting.. Please know that as a founding member of the Libertad y Democracia group I understand and understand the importance of this second meeting in Buenos Aires. The times that our region is experiencing, threatened by the dangers of populism, demagoguery, corruption and drug trafficking, need us stronger and more united than ever,” Rajoy said at the beginning of a short speech lasting just over a minute.

After his pre-recorded intervention, it was Lasso's turn, who, after apologizing for his absence due to his participation in the United Nations General Assembly, assured: “Know that as a founding member of the group Libertad y Democracia I understand and understand the importance of this second meeting in Buenos Aires. “The times that our region is experiencing, threatened by populism, demagoguery, corruption and drug trafficking, need us stronger and more united than ever.”

Sitting in an office, the former head of the Spanish Government stressed that “the delicate situation that some nations are experiencing is not new, there have been years in which drug trafficking has advanced faster than the laws themselves and the measures to combat it.”. Drug trafficking must be confronted decisively and unambiguously, because as all medical and scientific societies have ratified time and time again: drugs kill, drugs destroy lives, families and dreams.. “Drugs cause pain, suffering and darken the prosperous future of our continent.”

And just a minute later, Lasso's voice pronounced: “The delicate situation that some nations are experiencing is not new, there have been years in which drug trafficking has advanced faster than the laws and measures to combat it.”. Drug trafficking must be confronted decisively and unambiguously, because as all medical and scientific societies have ratified time and time again: drugs destroy lives, families and dreams.. “Drugs cause pain, suffering and darken the prosperous future of our continent.”

Both also agreed that drug trafficking and criminal organizations “seek to take away our freedoms and democracy,” in a speech where only several single words pronounced here and there by the speakers marked any differentiating element.

“Some believe this is a lost battle and are ready to give up.”. But let me tell you that our group of presidents and former presidents will never give up,” Rajoy said shortly before Lasso assured: “Some believe that this is a lost battle and are willing to give up.. But let me tell you, our group of presidents and former presidents will not do it.”