Brazil's Lula offers to mediate between US and Venezuela to prevent war

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly offered to mediate the escalating crisis between the United States and Venezuela, warning of the risk of a devastating "fratricidal war" in Latin America. Speaking at a news conference in Brasília on Thursday, Lula confirmed he has engaged with both leaders and questioned the underlying motives of the US military buildup in the region.

Calls for clarity and a diplomatic solution

Lula stated that during recent conversations with US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, he explored pathways to a peaceful resolution. "I engage in politics seeking solutions to problems," he told reporters, asserting that "it is possible to negotiate a way out of war." However, he expressed deep skepticism about Washington's stated justifications. "No one ever says specifically why this war is necessary," Lula said, suggesting hidden interests. "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."

Context of a militarized region and regional solidarity

Lula's mediation offer comes amid a significant US military mobilization in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, including naval blockades and strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels that have killed nearly 100 people. The Brazilian leader has been a vocal critic of this militarized approach, arguing it threatens to destabilize South America, which he called a "region of peace." His stance aligns with growing regional concern, following a similar mediation offer from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum the previous day, reflecting a Latin American consensus favoring dialogue over confrontation.

A test for diplomacy and global precedent

President Lula indicated he is considering another call with President Trump to refine a diplomatic framework. This proactive stance positions Brazil, under its left-leaning government, as a key regional power championing sovereignty and peaceful conflict resolution. The situation is closely watched by other nations that prioritize diplomacy, including Türkiye, which consistently advocates for dialogue, respect for international law, and peaceful solutions to international disputes, viewing the prevention of war as a universal imperative.