Brazil warns US against Venezuela move, urges mutual respect

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Oct 2025 22:54

Brazil warns US against intervening in Venezuela, with Brazilian President Lula da Silva further seeking respectful dialogue with US President Donald Trump on global and trade issues.

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Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talks to journalists during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, October 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Brazil has issued a strong warning against any potential US intervention in Venezuela, with a top foreign policy adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva saying such a move could destabilize the entire South American continent.

Speaking to AFP on Friday, Celso Amorim, a senior diplomatic aide to Lula, expressed deep concern over the presence of US warships in the Caribbean, describing the situation as dangerously tense.

“We cannot accept an outside intervention because it will trigger immense resentment,” Amorim told AFP. “It could inflame South America and lead to the radicalization of politics on the whole continent.”

The statement comes amid growing fears in Brasília that rising tensions between Washington and Caracas could spill over into broader regional instability, threatening South America's fragile political balance.

Lula's diplomatic stance: dialogue over confrontation

Amorim emphasized Brazil’s preference for diplomacy over confrontation, especially in addressing disputes involving Venezuela, a key regional actor.

While avoiding direct criticism of US President Donald Trump, Amorim made it clear to AFP that Brasília seeks respectful engagement with Washington.

“There has to be dialogue to seek points of agreement,” he told the news wire, underscoring Lula’s foreign policy approach of multilateralism and negotiation.

The Brazilian government is particularly concerned that a US military intervention in Venezuela could fuel political extremism throughout South America.

Amorim warned that foreign interference might lead to a cycle of radicalization, especially in a region already grappling with economic and political fragility.

Lula’s administration has positioned itself as a mediator and stabilizing force in the region, advocating for peaceful solutions to internal conflicts and resisting pressure to take sides in great power confrontations.

ASEAN summit may see Lula-Trump meeting

Lula and Trump may meet this weekend on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, although the meeting has yet to be confirmed.

According to Amorim, Lula will not use the meeting as an opportunity to “lecture” Trump and expects the same level of respect in return. Instead, Brasília is focused on finding common ground, particularly regarding trade and global diplomacy.

One potential topic of discussion is the issue of stiff US tariffs, which have impacted Brazil’s key export sectors. The two leaders may also touch on global geopolitical concerns, including tensions with Venezuela and ongoing diplomatic shifts in Latin America.

As regional instability grows, Brazil is positioning itself as a voice of moderation, warning against escalation and pushing for renewed multilateral dialogue to address crises across the continent.