The Brazilian government under President Lula focuses on political stability in Venezuela following the US capture of Nicolás Maduro, recognizing Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader. Lula denounced the violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and sent humanitarian aid, while ignoring calls for elections. In talks with regional leaders, he emphasized peaceful resolution of the crisis.
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, US military forces attacked Caracas, capturing President Nicolás Maduro, who is now in New York. Two days later, on January 5, Delcy Rodríguez officially assumed power as interim leader amid uncertainties about chavismo cohesion.
The government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prioritizes stability in Venezuela, publicly denouncing the US action as a violation of international law and national sovereignty, a dangerous precedent for Latin America. Lula called Delcy shortly after the capture to confirm reports, and Brazil recognized her as interim president from the start. The Brazilian ambassador in Caracas, Glivânia Maria de Oliveira, attended the inauguration ceremony, and Itamaraty's secretary-general, Maria Laura da Rocha, affirmed the recognition.
For humanitarian support, Health Minister Alexandre Padilha announced the shipment of supplies and medicines for dialysis patients affected by bombings that destroyed a treatment center. A Venezuelan plane is due to arrive in Guarulhos on January 9 to collect 40 tons out of 300 tons gathered, at the request of the Pan American Health Organization.
On Thursday, January 8, Lula spoke with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. With Petro, they agreed the US action violates the UN Charter and poses a dangerous precedent for regional peace; they welcomed the Venezuelan National Assembly's announcement of prisoner releases and reaffirmed cooperation, noting Venezuelan migrants hosted. With Sheinbaum, they rejected divisions into spheres of influence and he invited her to visit Brazil. With Carney, they condemned the use of force and discussed a Mercosur-Canada trade deal.
Unlike France, Canada, and the European Union, which advocate peaceful transition and elections respecting popular will—referring to the fraud-plagued July 2024 elections—Brazil avoids mentions of elections, citing non-intervention, distrust of opposition leader María Corina Machado, and Donald Trump's stance, who dismissed immediate elections and stated the US will administer the country, receiving 30 to 50 million barrels of oil. Delcy declared no external agent will govern.
