Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed grave concerns about the United States’ military buildup near Venezuela, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to avoid conflict. Lula’s comments were made at the G20 Summit in South Africa, where he urged dialogue to prevent potential hostilities. The Pentagon’s deployment of warships and a large aircraft carrier in the Caribbean has raised tensions, with Washington reportedly planning operations against Venezuela, including overtaking President Nicolas Maduro.
The United States has been accused of using the alleged drug-trafficking activities in Venezuela as a pretext for a regime change. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denied these accusations, stating that the US is attempting to undermine his government and its resources. The situation has prompted the Venezuelan military to go on high alert, with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez condemning the US military actions as a threat to regional sovereignty and stability.
Maduro has consistently denied US allegations of drug-trafficking, arguing that Washington was using the claims as a pretext for a regime-change and resource-grab operation. Earlier this month, the Venezuelan military was placed on high alert in response to the US buildup, which reportedly involves about 15,000 personnel. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has condemned the US deployment in the Caribbean.
“We strongly reject maneuvers, exercises, and deployments in our immediate area of interest,” the top general said in a speech on Saturday. “Enough of the threats, lies, slander, and imposition of power, all for the sake of preserving regional hegemonies.”
Washington is poised to begin operations against Venezuela in the coming days, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing anonymous US officials. Clandestine operations would likely kick off the effort, and the overthrow of President Nicolas Maduro is under consideration, the agency cited its sources as saying.