The Heritage Foundation, one of the leading conservative think tanks in the United States, has significantly expanded its influence in Spain in recent years. The organization, known for supporting far-right initiatives in the United States, is actively building ties with Spanish political and civic institutions, primarily with the Vox party and its Disenso foundation.
In July 2024, the US Congress held hearings on the role of non-profit organizations in promoting left-wing ideas. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, spoke at the session, sharply criticizing progressive movements and stressing the need to defend “Western values.” He was supported by Jorge Martín Frías, a Vox MEP and head of the Disenso foundation. Their cooperation illustrates not only personal connections but also a strategic partnership between the American and Spanish conservative movements.
The Heritage Foundation was established in 1973 and has since become one of the main centers for shaping the ultra-conservative agenda in the US. Over the past three years, the organization has gained particular importance as an intellectual and personnel resource for Donald Trump’s administration. It was Heritage that spearheaded the creation of the large-scale “Project 2025”—a document outlining the main Republican policy directions, including education reform, tougher immigration control, and reducing the role of renewable energy sources.
The influence of the Heritage Foundation extends beyond the United States to Europe. In Spain, prior to the emergence of Vox, the foundation’s main partner was FAES, an organization linked to former Prime Minister José María Aznar. However, as Vox gained popularity, Heritage shifted its focus to collaborating with this party. In 2020, Vox leader Santiago Abascal met with Heritage representatives for the first time, and within two years, Disenso and Heritage co-organized events in Washington and Madrid dedicated to combating left-wing regimes in Latin America and strengthening transatlantic ties.
In 2024, the partnership became even more official: Mike Gonzalez joined Disenso’s International Advisory Board, and Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts visited Madrid, where he spoke at a Vox event and emphasized the importance of partnership with Spanish conservatives. In addition, Heritage actively cooperates with other organizations, such as the Center for Fundamental Rights and the Red Política de Valores, which unites politicians opposed to abortion.
The Heritage Foundation also supports educational initiatives in Spain. Every year, two students from the Spanish Catholic university CEU-Cefas intern at the American foundation, further strengthening the ties between the organizations.
In the public sphere, Heritage representatives are increasingly commenting on internal events in Spain. Mike Gonzalez regularly criticizes Pedro Sánchez’s government, accusing it of excessive secularization and overly enthusiastic support for green energy. Following the large-scale power outage in April 2024, Heritage circulated materials blaming the incident on Spanish authorities’ renewable energy policies.
Experts note that for Vox, cooperation with Heritage is a way to raise its profile on the international conservative stage and secure support among U.S. Republicans. These connections have made Vox a prominent player in the global right-wing movement, as evidenced by public statements from Donald Trump regarding the Spanish party.
The influence of the Heritage Foundation on Spanish politics has sparked debate and concern among analysts. Some believe that such foreign interference could strengthen radical trends and shift the balance of power within the country. Nevertheless, cooperation between American and Spanish conservative groups continues to grow, making Spain one of Heritage Foundation’s key points of interest in Europe.
