Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has voiced strong criticism of the relationship between Washington and Caracas, suggesting that the U.S. appears to be running Venezuela and questioning the South American nation's sovereignty. These remarks were made during an interview with CNN.
Lula remarked, "What the United States has done in Venezuela is very serious. The country's sovereignty is gone. This is not good—it’s not beneficial for the U.S., for Venezuela, or for democracy," stated Lula, with his comments originally in English and later translated to Spanish.
Addressing the situation of Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez, Lula suggested, "If I were Delcy, I would call for national elections so the people can choose their next leader."
Lula further criticized the subordinate dynamic evident in agreements and documents between the two nations, stating, "The way the U.S. deals with Delcy, it seems like the U.S. is Delcy’s boss. This is clear in every news report we see."
The Brazilian leader also pointed out former President Donald Trump's public boasts about controlling Venezuelan oil: "Trump claims he controls Venezuela's oil for the U.S., pays Venezuela little, and has everything under control. This is not the ideal way to conduct international relations," he stated. On Tuesday, Trump showcased this agreement at the General Assembly as "the greatest oil deal in history."
On August 28, Trump announced a historic oil agreement between the U.S. and Venezuela, granting Washington a majority stake over more than 65 billion barrels of proven Venezuelan crude reserves for a period of 25 years.
Trump met with Delcy Rodríguez, marking the first in-person encounter between a U.S. president and a Venezuelan leader in over a decade.
Lula also commented on the fate of Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026: "If Maduro made a mistake, he should be judged. There must be an investigation."
When Maduro's capture occurred, Lula condemned it as "unacceptable" and "an extremely dangerous precedent." In March, he once again criticized Washington's actions in both Venezuela and Cuba, labeling them "undemocratic."
The leader of the Workers' Party (PT), who is seeking re-election in Brazil's upcoming elections on October 4, emphasized that American citizens elected Trump to govern the U.S., not to impose his will on other nations. He urged the White House to refrain from interfering in these elections.
Understanding U.S. and Venezuela Relations
What was the nature of the oil agreement between the U.S. and Venezuela?
The agreement, announced by Trump, allowed the U.S. to gain majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of proven Venezuelan crude reserves for 25 years.
How did Lula respond to Maduro's capture by U.S. forces?
Lula condemned the capture as "unacceptable" and an "extremely dangerous precedent," and called for an investigation if Maduro committed any wrongdoing.
What is Lula's stance on U.S. interference in other countries?
Lula criticized the U.S. for imposing its will on other nations and urged the White House to avoid interfering in foreign elections.