Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that he had a conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday, confirming Carney’s acceptance of an invitation to visit Brazil in April. Both leaders expressed disapproval of the United States’ use of force in Venezuela and advocated for reforms in global governance institutions.
In a social media post detailing their discussion, Lula emphasized their joint condemnation of the use of force in Venezuela without the backing of the United Nations Charter and international law. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement highlighting the leaders’ commitment to supporting a transition process in Venezuela led by its people, respecting their democratic will.
While underscoring the importance of upholding international law and sovereignty principles, the statement from the PMO did not directly address the U.S. apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Notably, there was no mention in the PMO statement of any scheduled visit by Carney to Brazil in April.
The Canadian Press has contacted the PMO for further clarification, awaiting an official response. Following the recent military operation in Caracas where U.S. forces detained Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both have been taken to New York and have pleaded not guilty to drug-related charges. In an interview with The New York Times, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a prolonged American presence in overseeing Venezuela’s affairs.
