Lula da Silva: US Has Effectively Stripped Venezuela of Its Sovereignty
World
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that US actions toward Venezuela have effectively deprived the country of its sovereignty. According to Lula, Washington is creating the impression that it has assumed the authority to govern Venezuela.
“What the United States did to Venezuela is very serious. The US conveys the idea that it is governing Venezuela. That message is contained in every document and agreement we read, as if the US were the big boss of Venezuela. The country’s sovereignty is practically gone,” Lula said in an interview with CNN.
The Brazilian president said the situation was not beneficial for either the United States or Venezuela. He also called for national elections in Venezuela, saying the population should be able to choose the country’s future political leadership.
His comments came against the backdrop of events in January 2026, when US forces carried out an operation in Venezuela that resulted in former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being captured and taken to the United States. Both later appeared in federal court in the Southern District of New York and pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
After Maduro’s capture, Delcy Rodríguez, who had served as vice president, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president. As of September 2026, she continues to lead the country’s transitional administration.
The United States, meanwhile, has said it intends to play a role in governing Venezuela during the transition. President Donald Trump said Washington would run the country until conditions were established for a further political transition.
The Brazilian president said the situation was not beneficial for either the United States or Venezuela. He also called for national elections in Venezuela, saying the population should be able to choose the country’s future political leadership.
His comments came against the backdrop of events in January 2026, when US forces carried out an operation in Venezuela that resulted in former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being captured and taken to the United States. Both later appeared in federal court in the Southern District of New York and pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
After Maduro’s capture, Delcy Rodríguez, who had served as vice president, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president. As of September 2026, she continues to lead the country’s transitional administration.
The United States, meanwhile, has said it intends to play a role in governing Venezuela during the transition. President Donald Trump said Washington would run the country until conditions were established for a further political transition.
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