Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, December 18, 2025.Image: keystone
December 18, 2025, 7:20 p.mDecember 18, 2025, 7:20 p.m
In view of the tensions between Washington and Venezuela, Brazil’s left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is planning a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump before Christmas. Lula said he wanted to prevent a war on the American continent. He will ask Trump how Brazil can help find a diplomatic way out of the crisis.
Lula told journalists in the capital Brasília that he was able to build a good relationship with Trump after initial differences. «Trump has become my friend, a little small talk. Two men aged 80 have no reason to argue,” said the Brazilian politician.
For Lula, it is not clear what the US is looking for in Venezuela
The conflict between the USA and Venezuela continues to escalate. However, Lula said that he didn’t understand exactly what was behind it. The Brazilian head of state had already spoken to Trump and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in recent weeks.
“Every day there are new threats in the newspapers and we are worried,” said Lula. “Nobody says specifically why this war has to be fought. I don’t know if it’s about oil or rare minerals. Nobody reveals what they want,” said Lula.
Trump announced on Tuesday a complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. Due to growing pressure from the US, Venezuela has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The USA had recently concentrated forces in the Caribbean. There were also numerous deadly attacks by the military on boats carrying people who were said to have been smuggling drugs. (sda/dpa)