Brazil Blows Hot Over Military Attacks On Venezuela, Says US Crossed The Line
The Brazilian government on Saturday condemned the United States’ military attack on Venezuela and the capture of its president, describing the action as the crossing of “an unacceptable line,” as authorities closely monitored the border for any unusual movement of refugees.
In a post on X, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the U.S. action constituted a serious violation of international norms.
He said, “The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president have crossed an unacceptable line. These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.
“Attacking countries, in blatant violation of international law, is the first step towards a world of violence, chaos and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.
“The condemnation of the use of force is consistent with the position that Brazil has always adopted in recent situations in other countries and regions.”
He called for a “vigorous” response from the United Nations, while reaffirming Brazil’s willingness to promote dialogue and cooperation.
Earlier on Saturday, U.S. forces attacked Venezuela and deposed President Nicolás Maduro, marking Washington’s most direct military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the operation as a major success.
“This was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
In response to the unfolding situation, Brazilian officials convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday, with concerns over a potential surge in Venezuelan refugees among the top issues discussed.
Lula, who was outside the capital Brasília due to the holiday season, joined the meeting virtually.
In a statement released afterward, Brazil’s foreign ministry said there had been no unusual movement at the border so far.
The ministry noted that Brazil has operated humanitarian assistance programs for Venezuelan migrants at the border since 2018.
Brazil has received more than 150,000 Venezuelans during that period, according to government figures released last year
The northern states of Roraima and Amazonas are the only Brazilian states that share a border with Venezuela, with more than 70% of Venezuelan refugees entering through Roraima, Governor Antonio Denarium said in an interview with Reuters.
Denarium said that while the border remains open, Venezuelan authorities are preventing their citizens from leaving the country, even as Brazilians are able to cross without restrictions.
Brazil’s foreign ministry also disclosed that Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira spoke with his Venezuelan counterpart on Saturday, though no further details of the conversation were provided.
Lula has previously warned that an armed intervention in Venezuela would amount to a “humanitarian catastrophe” and has repeatedly offered Brazil’s services as a mediator in disputes involving the country.
