Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for any trial of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to be held within Venezuela, not in the United States, following Maduro’s capture by US forces in January. Lula emphasized that the resolution to Venezuela’s political crisis must originate “by the people of Venezuela, and not by foreign interference,” according to a statement released Friday and reported by multiple news outlets.
Lula’s comments came during an interview with India Today TV, as reported by multiple sources including CNN Español and Al Jazeera. He stated, “I believe that if Maduro has to be trialled, he has to be trialled in his country, not trialled abroad.” The Brazilian president cited a history of US involvement in Latin American politics, referencing past US-backed dictatorships in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay as justification for his position.
Maduro was apprehended in Caracas in a military operation authorized by US President Donald Trump and subsequently transported to Latest York, where he faces charges including allegations of planning to traffic drugs to the United States. US authorities have accused Maduro of collaborating with international drug cartels, though data presented by the US government does not identify Venezuela as a major drug-producing nation, according to reporting from Al Jazeera.
Lula criticized the US military operation as an unacceptable violation of sovereignty, stating, “We cannot accept that a head of state of one country could invade another country and capture the president.” He also indicated his intention to discuss the issue with President Trump during a planned meeting in Washington next month, according to India Today.
The Brazilian president further suggested that individuals accused of crimes in the US who are Brazilian citizens should be tried in Brazil, and plans to formally propose this concept to Trump. Lula also expressed a desire to negotiate with the US on issues related to organized crime, drug trafficking, and the trade of rare earth minerals.
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has reportedly been working to secure the release of hundreds of political opponents, activists, and lawyers who were imprisoned during Maduro’s time in office, which began in 2013. Lula’s statements align with this effort to restore democratic processes within Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of a Venezuelan-led solution.
While the Trump administration has justified its actions in Venezuela as a response to drug trafficking, it has also expressed interest in Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves, inviting US oil companies to exploit them and suggesting that proceeds from oil sales should benefit both Venezuela and the United States, as reported by Al Jazeera.
