Brazil’s Lula offers to mediate as U.S.-Venezuela tensions rise

Brazil’s Lula offers to mediate as U.S.-Venezuela tensions rise
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, December 17, 2025.
Reuters

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate between the U.S. and Venezuela, warning that urgent diplomatic intervention is needed to prevent a “fratricidal war” in Latin America.

Speaking at a news conference in the Planalto Palace, Lula confirmed that he had discussed potential peaceful solutions with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

“I engage in politics seeking solutions to problems,” he said, adding that negotiating a way out of conflict is possible. Lula questioned the U.S.’s motives, suggesting that strategic interests, such as Venezuela’s oil or rare minerals, may be influencing its approach.

He emphasised that South America must remain a “region of peace” and indicated he may hold follow-up talks with President Trump to develop a diplomatic framework to avoid military confrontation. The two leaders last spoke officially on 2 December, focusing on bilateral trade negotiations.

Lula’s mediation offer comes amid heightened U.S. military activity in the region. Since September, the U.S. has maintained a strong naval and aerial presence in Caribbean and Pacific waters and conducted strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking, resulting in dozens of fatalities.

The Trump administration has also ordered a complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan ports.

The Brazilian president has criticised the U.S. campaign, warning that militarisation risks regional stability and could escalate into a wider conflict. His initiative follows a similar offer of mediation from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday.

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