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It started quietly, almost imperceptibly. Social media posts, public banners, and
subtle speeches in classrooms and churches. But behind the scenes, a
meticulously coordinated campaign was unfolding—a campaign that would reach
far beyond Spain’s borders. Its target: the rights of women, LGBTQ+ communities,
and anyone advocating sexual and reproductive freedom. What seemed like
isolated cultural skirmishes were, in reality, a long-term project of power with a
global reach.
The Architects of a Global Offensive
At the center of this transnational movement are five key actors: the Opus Dei, the
platforms Hazte Oír and CitizenGO, the Political Network for Values (PNfV), and
Spain’s far-right political party, Vox. These groups are not only coordinating
domestic campaigns; they are exporting ideologies, narratives, and tactics that are
reshaping the political landscape in Latin America and Africa.
The study by the Association for Sexual and Reproductive Rights—titled From
Spain to the World: The Global Projection of the Spanish Far Right Against Sexual
and Reproductive Rights—examines cases from Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvador
, Chile, and Kenya. Across each country, the strategy remains consistent: a mix of
political, religious, ideological, and economic projects intertwined with global
coordination.
Anti-gender discourse is adapted to local contexts, alliances are forged with
political, media, and religious actors, and digital media are exploited to spread
misinformation and hate against feminist and LGBTQ+ groups. These campaigns
leverage existing cultural tensions, political instability, and colonial legacies,
exploiting local vulnerabilities to advance a unified global agenda.
The Structural Impacts
According to the report, the consequences of this offensive are profound and
systematic:
Erosion of equality: Gender equality, sexual autonomy, and social justice are
actively undermined.
Reinforcement of hierarchical norms: Gender, sexuality, race, and class hierarchies
are reinstated as political tools.
Instrumentalization of gender and body autonomy: These issues become levers for
political mobilization, rather than rights to be protected.
This offensive is not a reactive movement; it is a carefully constructed long-term
power project. Spain serves as a “key transnational hub,” while its connections
across continents transform both the sender and recipient nations. The expansion
into Africa illustrates the movement’s geopolitical ambitions far beyond the
“Iberosphere.”
The Spanish Legacy and Domestic Foundations
Spain’s contemporary anti-gender campaigns are rooted in history. The legacy of
Francoism, alliances with Catholic fundamentalism, and the rise of Vox have been
decisive in shaping strategies. The campaigns rely on sustained cultural wear-
down through judicial pressures, public harassment, mass propaganda, and
internationalization. Vox has institutionalized these battles, bringing them into
legislative and governmental arenas.
Hazte Oír and CitizenGO act as mobilization engines. CitizenGO, for instance,
operates globally, using digital platforms to influence policy debates and public
opinion. The Opus Dei recruits elites through schools and universities,
consolidating ideological networks that span continents. PNfV functions as a
transnational convener of far-right leaders, facilitating alliances that transcend
national borders.
Case Studies: From Latin America to Africa
Argentina
The arrival of Hazte Oír in 2010 and CitizenGO three years later reinforced the
conservative political field. By 2018, when Argentina debated abortion legalization,
these groups had prepared a ready-made ultra-right opposition. Young leaders
emerged, trained in coordinated tactics, setting the stage for Javier Milei’s
presidential rise in 2023.
The networks included the Spanish think tank Disenso, which annually transfers
millions of euros to support Latin American allies. Politologists like Agustín Laje
were elevated internationally, while Vox members maintained close ties with the
emerging Argentine leadership. The result: a conservative, globally connected
political ecosystem prepared to influence legislation, education, and social policy.
Chile
José Antonio Kast exemplifies the adaptation of the Spanish anti-gender playbook
to Chilean politics. By linking his political ambitions to the legacy of Pinochet, Kast
amplifies anti-immigration and anti-gender agendas. He participates in PNfV and
the Carta de Madrid initiative, strengthening transnational alliances that expand
far-right influence in legislative and electoral contexts.
With the 2025 elections looming, mandatory voting and millions of new voters
create a high-stakes environment. The offensive exploits apathy and fear to
consolidate power, leveraging both local and international networks.
Guatemala
In Guatemala, transnational anti-gender groups connect with local elites
historically linked to corruption. Publicly, they present themselves as secular,
economic, or social actors, masking the ideological goal: limiting sexual and
reproductive rights.
The elite’s affinity with the Spanish far-right is reinforced by the Iberosphere
concept and anti-communist rhetoric. Universities like Francisco Marroquín serve
as incubators for ultraliberal ideas and convergence points for the fusion of
economic oligarchy and religious elites. CitizenGO, present since 2021, conducts
campaigns against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, further embedding these
ideologies into national policy discourse.
El Salvador
Bukele’s government, characterized by absolute criminalization of abortion,
benefits from ties with global far-right networks. Spanish actors have actively
intervened in legal cases, supporting conservative positions in the Inter-American
Court of Human Rights. The involvement of Opus Dei figures, former European
judges, and international campaigns illustrates the reach and coordination of
these networks.
Kenya
Africa represents the newest frontier. Kenya offers favorable conditions: a
predominantly Christian population, historic Opus Dei presence, tax exemptions
for churches, and political support from leaders like President Ruto. CitizenGO uses
Kenya as a continental hub, influencing policies on abortion and sexual education.
The Political Network for Values discreetly integrates local figures into global
conferences, ensuring the continued expansion of influence. Recent Pan-African
conferences indicate readiness for a more direct intervention, bypassing local
intermediaries.
Recommendations for Counteraction
The report emphasizes the need for:
Documentation and exposure: Mapping networks, funding, and strategies.
Institutional recognition: Supporting defenders of sexual and reproductive rights.
Blocking public funds to anti-gender groups: Ensuring public resources do not
empower these campaigns.
Strengthening local activism: Legal, social, and media tools to counter
disinformation.
Educational initiatives: Cultivating critical awareness from schools to communities.
International collaboration: Leveraging alliances across countries to protect
universal rights.
The Global Picture
From Buenos Aires to Nairobi, Spain’s far-right networks exemplify how domestic
ideologies can scale into international projects of power. The offensive combines
media manipulation, educational influence, legal interventions, and political
alliances to reshape societies far beyond its origin.
Anti-gender campaigns have become a blueprint for far-right expansion, adapting
locally while maintaining a global strategy. Spain, once the origin point, now hosts
and coordinates these transnational networks.
The story is not only one of repression but of organized, sophisticated influence
with clear goals: eroding rights, reinstating hierarchies, and mobilizing cultural and
political power for decades to come.
