Brazil’s President Prioritizes Democracy Over Maduro’s Fate
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shared on Thursday that he doesn’t see the freedom of Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro as “his main concern.” Instead, he emphasized the need to focus on bolstering Venezuela’s democracy, assisting the over 8 million Venezuelans who have fled abroad, and reviving oil production in the country.
Lula conveyed these points during a conversation with UOL journalist Daniela Lima in Brasilia. He discussed his upcoming trip to Washington, where he will meet with President Donald Trump in early March. Lula mentioned he prefers direct communication rather than conversations on social media, and that he is willing to explore topics like mining and rare earths, while asserting that Brazil’s sovereignty remains vital.
When discussing Venezuela, he referred to the events following a US law enforcement operation in Caracas that resulted in Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being detained. When asked if anything could expedite their return to Venezuela, Lula cut in, stressing that wasn’t the primary issue at hand.
“The real questions are whether Venezuelan democracy can be strengthened and if those who have left can find their way back home. Are the right conditions in place for democracy and public involvement to flourish in Venezuela?” Lula questioned.
He further asked, “Will this enhance people’s lives? Will it generate jobs?” He pointed out a pressing issue: the decline in oil production from PDVSA, which currently stands at around 700,000 barrels per day—far less than its potential 3.7 million barrels.
Lula’s apparent shift in attitude towards Maduro signals a notable change from his previous stance, as he used to have a friendly rapport with the now-displaced dictator. In fact, Lula had previously criticized the US’s military actions in Venezuela and condemned the situation as unacceptable.
The Venezuelan socialist regime, initially under Hugo Chávez from 1999 until his death in 2013, has governed the country for 27 years. Maduro took over in 2013 and remained in power until his arrest on January 3, 2026. Currently, “acting president” Delcy Rodriguez leads the government.
Lula had maintained a solid relationship with Chávez during his presidency, especially during his first two terms (2003-2011). Despite previously supporting Maduro, Lula’s administration restored diplomatic ties with Venezuela when he took office for the third time in 2023, after his predecessor broke relations due to Maduro’s contested election in 2018. Maduro even visited Brazil in May 2023, following an invitation from Lula.
However, tensions arose after Maduro’s questionable electoral win in July 2024, during which he failed to present necessary evidence of his victory. Celso Amorim, Lula’s chief foreign policy advisor, indicated that Maduro had promised to provide proof but ultimately did not.
In response, Lula blocked Maduro from gaining sought-after seats at the BRICS summit in October 2024, citing a “betrayal of trust.” While Lula did not officially recognize Maduro’s electoral “win,” he also did not acknowledge opposition candidate Edmundo González, even after evidence suggested González’s substantial victory over Maduro.
During his conversation, Lula mentioned that both the Venezuelan government and the United States need to reach a mutual understanding. He recalled advising Chávez to engage with former President George W. Bush, despite Chávez’s earlier antagonism toward him.
Lula characterized the dynamic between the U.S. and Venezuela as similar to a dispute among friends, highlighting that Venezuela has historically sold oil to the United States.
