Congressman García Participates in the Third Panamerican Congress
August 24, 2026
Press Release
Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) participated in the Third Panamerican Congress that took place from Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23. The opening day began with a press conference and an opening ceremony at Uruguay’s Legislative Palace led by Uruguayan Vice President Carolina Cosse. The gatherings’ first closed-door working session started right after.
That afternoon, a public event entitled “This Is America” brought together more than 600 people to the historic Teatro Solís. Former Chilean President Gabriel Boric, former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, former Uruguayan Vice President Lucía Topolansky, former Chilean presidential candidate Jeannette Jara and former Chilean government spokesperson Camila Vallejo were among the progressive leaders from across the Americas who shared their visions for the region’s future.
On Saturday, delegations continued with additional closed-door working sessions and workshops on emerging issues, including the defense of democracy, the new global economy and cybersecurity.
The Third Panamerican Congress concluded Sunday with a closing session at the MERCOSUR Parliament, or Parlasur, in Montevideo. The parliamentary forum of democratic forces across the Americas brought together more than 150 lawmakers, former presidents, ministers and political leaders from 15 countries. Participants reviewed the outcomes of the working sessions held in Montevideo and announced Brazil as the next host country of the fourth Panamerican Congress in 2027.
The closing session began with presentations of the conclusions from four working groups focused on peace, multilateralism and security; sustainable economic development and regional integration; digital sovereignty and artificial intelligence; and well-being and care for the majority. Lawmakers agreed that the hemisphere’s challenges—from financial coercion and weaponized sanctions to concentrated technological power and the erosion of traditional welfare systems—require coordinated regional action rather than fragmented national responses.
Participants from the United States included a Congressional delegation led by U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7), and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04).
U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García said members of the U.S. delegation share the Congress’ vision.
“Those of us who serve in the United States Congress share the vision of this Panamerican Congress,” García said. “I believe winning back the majority in Congress can open space to change U.S. policy toward the region and the Global South. We will center working-class well-being, respect for human rights and respect for the sovereignty of Latin American nations.”
