Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday said he is ready to act as a mediator amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas, warning that urgent diplomacy is needed to prevent a “fratricidal war” in Latin America.
Addressing a news conference at the Planalto Palace, Lula confirmed that in recent dialogues with both US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, he explored ways to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
"I engage in politics seeking solutions to problems," the Brazilian leader told reporters. He said it was "possible to negotiate a way out of war," though he questioned whether Washington’s true motives for the intervention had been fully disclosed. Lula suggested that the American pressure campaign might be driven by interests beyond the removal of the Maduro government.
"No one ever says specifically why this war is necessary," Lula said. "I don't know if the interest is Venezuela's oil, critical minerals, or rare earth elements. The fact is that no one is putting what they want on the table."
The Brazilian president said that during his conversation with Trump, he stressed that South America is a "region of peace" and must remain so. He indicated that he is considering a follow-up call with the US president to refine a diplomatic framework that could avoid a military confrontation.
