Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva said in an exclusive interview with India Today that if Venezuelan leader Nicols Maduro is to face trial, it should happen in his own country — not in a foreign courtroom.
“What matters now is to re-establish democracy in Venezuela,” Lula said during the wide-ranging conversation. “And I believe that if Maduro has to be trialled, he has to be trialled in his country, not trialled abroad.”
Lula’s remarks come amid heightened tensions following Maduro’s capture by US forces earlier this year. He criticised what he described as external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs and insisted Brazil would not accept another nation dictating the fate of a neighbouring head of state. “There’s no explanation for this,” he said, referring to what he called an unlawful arrest.
Brazil’s position on Venezuela, Lula said, is rooted in respect for sovereignty and historical experience. Citing a legacy of military coups in countries such as Chile, Argentina and Uruguay in the 1960s — often linked to outside influence — he warned against the same mistakes being repeated. “It has to be solved by the people of Venezuela, and not by foreign interference,” he said.
Lula also told India Today that Brazil does not feel threatened by the United States or any other country, stressing that relations should be “civilised” and based on mutual respect rather than confrontation. He said his government responded to previous US-imposed tariffs through dialogue and is planning person-to-person talks with Donald Trump to settle outstanding trade issues.
Lula reiterated that Brazil’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its stance on Gaza stem from the same principles: upholding international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts. “We cannot accept that a head of state of one country could invade another country and capture the president,” he said.
The Brazilian leader said he hopes the Venezuelan crisis will be resolved by Venezuelans themselves and that restoring democratic institutions is the region’s priority.
