Last week, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) made a phone call to Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and discussed the military build-up of the US against the neighboring country. This was the first call between the two after the Venezuelan election last year, which was aimed at mending bridges with Chavismo and rebuilding trust between the two. This step is considered significant in case Brazil is requested to attempt to resolve the crisis between the regime of Maduro and U.S. President Donald Trump.

📌 El presidente #LulaDaSilva expresa profunda preocupación por la amenaza de guerra en #Venezuela.

🔴 El mandatario relató sus conversaciones con los presidentes Nicolás Maduro y Donald Trump, buscando mediar en el conflicto.

🔴 Brasil quiere la paz y evitar la injerencia. pic.twitter.com/eVEzNARuLA

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 18, 2025

The U.S. pressure has manifested in the form of the use of a number of warships in the Caribbean, one of which is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Moreover, the United States recently hijacked an oil tanker that was shipping oil in waters off Venezuela and has sanctioned 6 other cargo ships that ship Venezuelan oil. The oil, which is the chief means of income of Caracas, has been the key element, and the anxious takeover of the tanker was the very first act of interference by Washington in the sector. Maduro, in his turn, referred to the move as “international piracy.”

Last week, Lula also called Trump by telephone and claimed that the U.S. military action to oust Maduro would produce counterproductive results in the region, such as more refugees and the empowerment of the criminal groups. The Brazilian president came to the defense of diplomacy and claimed that he trusts in the power of words rather than weapons.