NextFin News - On January 18, 2026, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva published a critical opinion piece in The New York Times addressing the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela. The article condemned the January 3 incursion by U.S. forces that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and reportedly caused approximately 100 casualties, according to Venezuelan authorities. Lula described the U.S. action as "another regrettable chapter in the continuous erosion of international law and the multilateral order established after the Second World War." He highlighted that this marks the first direct military attack by the United States on South American soil in over two centuries of regional independence.
Lula argued that the use of force as a routine instrument to resolve international disputes threatens global peace, security, and stability. He criticized the selective application of international norms, warning that such practices weaken both individual states and the international system, making it impossible to build free, inclusive, and democratic societies. The Brazilian president underscored that unilateral military interventions undermine the authority of the United Nations and its Security Council, disrupt trade and investment flows, exacerbate refugee crises, and impair states' capacities to combat organized crime and transnational challenges.
Despite his strong condemnation, Lula advocated for constructive dialogue and cooperation between Brazil and the United States, emphasizing that both countries are the hemisphere's most populous democracies. He called for joint efforts to address shared challenges such as economic development, organized crime, and regional stability. Lula also stressed the importance of respecting Latin America and the Caribbean's sovereignty, interests, and aspirations, rejecting hegemonic dominance and advocating for a multipolar world order.
Regarding Venezuela, Lula insisted that the country's future must be determined by its people through an inclusive political process to achieve a democratic and sustainable outcome. He reaffirmed Brazil's commitment to bilateral cooperation with Venezuela, particularly in securing their 1,300-kilometer shared border.
This public denunciation by Lula comes amid heightened tensions following the U.S. military operation authorized under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, reflecting deep divisions over the legitimacy and consequences of unilateral interventions in Latin America.
The broader implications of Lula's critique highlight a growing resistance in the region against perceived U.S. hegemonic policies and a call for renewed respect for international law and multilateralism. Economically, the instability triggered by such military actions risks disrupting regional trade networks and investment climates, potentially exacerbating poverty and migration pressures in a region home to over 660 million people.
Looking forward, Lula's stance signals Brazil's intent to assert greater regional leadership and promote a diplomatic agenda focused on infrastructure investment, job creation, and combating transnational issues like drug trafficking and climate change. His emphasis on dialogue with the U.S. suggests a pragmatic approach to hemispheric relations, balancing criticism with cooperation.
In sum, Lula's New York Times article serves as a significant political statement against the militarization of foreign policy in Latin America, advocating for sovereignty, multilateralism, and peaceful conflict resolution as pillars for regional prosperity and stability in an increasingly multipolar global environment.
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