At the recent Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared that foreign interference in Latin American affairs must stop. He specifically attacked the United Nations for its failure to end current international conflicts. His speech on Saturday noted the large scope of geopolitical concerns. He declared that Brazil and other countries need to get together and resist outside control or meddling.
Lula’s comments were made as part of a larger critique of U.S. foreign policy and more specifically, the reality of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration. For one, he stated that the idea that we could or should own any other country is an idea that is deeply evil and wrong.
“It’s not possible for someone to think that they own other countries,” – Lula
Criticism of Foreign Interference
Lula took the fight directly to Venezuela. He challenged the behavior of foreign countries regarding the South American country. He had, “What did they do with Venezuela? He cited today’s wars as demonstrable proof of a dangerous, recent trend of international interference to lament the state of affairs.
In his speech, Lula expressed concern about Cuba and its current state, asking, “What are they doing with Cuba now? What did they do with Venezuela? Is that democratic?” His remarks highlight a rising impatience with the sense that there is an unfair double standard for countries that have experienced foreign interference.
The Brazilian leader took the U.S. to task over its military interventions in the Middle East. His primary interest was in the invasion of Iraq and its continuing influence on global geopolitics today. He noted the parallels between the Iraq war and the U.S.-led war against Russia in Ukraine. He claimed that these measures merely serve to destabilize areas and increase tensions.
Calls for Collective Action and Peace
Lula’s closing call was for the continent to present a steadfast front in the face of foreign interference in Latin America. He stated, “We cannot allow anyone to interfere and violate the territorial integrity of each country.” His remarks echoed sentiments expressed by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who condemned the UN’s inability to address pressing global issues.
Lula spoke out against the war burgeoning war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. He said that such wars are typically justified under the guise of lies, referring to claims of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction. “Iran has been invaded under the pretext that Iran was building a nuclear bomb,” he stated, calling into question the motives behind such military interventions.
Lula’s point is that leaders must be held accountable, first and foremost, in their own countries. He argues that foreign powers have no business intervening in countries such as Venezuela. Rather, he suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro should be tried for drug trafficking – in Venezuela. He claimed this strategy would be more effective than capitulating to U.S. requests and measures.
Vision for Brazil’s Future
To that end, Lula is preparing to run for a fourth nonconsecutive term in Brazil’s elections this October. He’s doing so with a fiery appeal for an America-first brand of sovereignty and resistance to foreign influence. He has continued to criticize the Trump administration’s policies on Latin America in stinging terms. He highlighted the kidnapping of Maduro as a potent illustration of the bigger problems with U.S. interventionist policies.
Looking beyond Brazil’s borders, Lula addressed his Latin American agenda calling for peace and greater cooperation between Latin American nations. He proposed creating a “Board of Peace,” a permanent initiative to promote discussion and collaboration among neighboring countries in the area. He signaled his readiness to meet with former President Trump in Washington to discuss these urgent challenges in deeper detail.
