Lula da Silva warns of a humanitarian catastrophe due to intervention in Venezuela
In strongly worded remarks, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned against any potential US military intervention in Venezuela, describing it as a "humanitarian catastrophe" with repercussions for the entire Southern Hemisphere. He made these comments during his address at the opening of the Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguaçu, southern Brazil.
Warnings against repeating past war scenarios
The Brazilian president invoked the region's historical memory, referring to the Falklands War that erupted four decades ago, and warned that South America was once again threatened by the presence of a foreign military force. Lula emphasized that allowing military intervention in Caracas would not be a mere passing crisis, but would set a dangerous precedent in international relations, threatening the stability of a region that has long striven to maintain its sovereignty and remain free from the direct military conflicts of the great powers.
American escalation and the threat of military action
These warnings come at a time of unprecedented tension in relations between Washington and Caracas. US President Donald Trump stated in an interview with NBC that he does not rule out the option of war against Venezuela, reflecting a dangerous shift in the crisis. In parallel with these political pronouncements, the United States has bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and Pacific regions since last summer, under the guise of combating drug trafficking.
These intensified military operations, which included strikes targeting boats suspected of smuggling, resulted in the deaths of at least 104 people. Observers believe these actions could be a prelude to broader operations, especially given Washington's announcement of a complete embargo on oil tankers linked to Venezuela, in an attempt to economically cripple the regime.
A mediation initiative to avert an explosion
In an attempt to defuse the crisis, the Brazilian president expressed his willingness to mediate and find a "peaceful solution" that would spare Latin America the horrors of an armed conflict with potentially catastrophic consequences for neighboring countries, including massive waves of refugees and regional economic collapse. Lula indicated the possibility of opening direct channels of communication with his American counterpart to calm the situation, emphasizing that diplomatic solutions are the only way to guarantee the security and stability of the continent.
