Overview
- In a New York Times op‑ed, Brazil’s president condemns U.S. bombings in Venezuela and the Jan. 3 capture of Nicolás Maduro as a damaging erosion of post‑WWII legal norms.
- He rejects what he calls neocolonial practices and criticizes a revival of the Monroe‑style doctrine, countering claims that the hemisphere belongs to the United States.
- Lula argues unilateral force weakens the United Nations, disrupts trade and investment, increases refugee flows, and undermines states’ capacity to fight transnational crime.
- He says Venezuela’s future must be decided by its people and pledges to protect Brazil’s more than 2,100‑kilometer border while supporting an inclusive, Venezuelan‑led political process.
- Despite sharp criticism, he underscores a constructive dialogue with the United States and urges pragmatic regional cooperation focused on investment, jobs, trade, and public security.