Lula to Urge Trump Against Military Intervention in Venezuela Amid Rising Regional Tensions
President Lula intends to appeal to U.S. President Trump to avoid military action in Venezuela, emphasizing regional stability amid escalating tensions.
- • Lula plans a meeting with Trump to discuss the Venezuela crisis and warns against military intervention.
- • Trump authorized covert CIA operations and contemplates ground attacks targeting Venezuelan drug cartels.
- • Brazil remains cautious and has not proposed mediation but is open if both parties seek dialogue.
- • Brazilian officials doubt Trump will launch a full military invasion due to his Nobel Peace Prize aspirations.
Key details
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva plans to address the escalating crisis in Venezuela with U.S. President Donald Trump in an upcoming meeting, aiming to dissuade the U.S. from conducting military intervention. Lula's aides say he will warn that such actions could destabilize the region and empower narcotraffickers, complicating the political landscape in Latin America.
Recently, Trump publicly revealed he authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuelan territory and is contemplating ground attacks against drug cartels in the country. These measures have resulted in at least 27 deaths and have been perceived by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government as aggressive attempts at regime change to seize control of Venezuela's oil reserves.
Brazilian officials are skeptical that Trump will pursue a full-scale military invasion, believing it would contradict his pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize. Instead, Washington is expected to engage in a "low-intensity conflict" strategy, involving targeted actions designed to pressure and undermine the Maduro regime while potentially encouraging popular rebellion among the opposition.
Brazil remains cautious regarding U.S. intentions and has yet to propose itself as a mediator, preferring to wait until both parties show interest in dialogue. This stance aligns with Lula's objective to minimize regional instability and avoid an escalating conflict that could adversely affect Brazil and its neighbors.
This diplomatic posture emerges amidst Lula's strengthened domestic position; recent polls show a 48% approval rating for his government, an improvement attributed to his administration's tangible social policy successes and improved communications. Lula's cautious yet vocal approach on Venezuela reflects Brazil's strategic balancing act in a volatile regional crisis.
According to aides, Lula's primary goal in the negotiations with Trump is to ensure that any U.S. action does not backfire, potentially undermining Washington's stated objectives while further destabilizing Venezuela and the surrounding region.