The US military operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, has polarized Brazil's political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections. Bolsonaro allies celebrated it as the fall of dictatorship, attacking Lula, while the president condemned violations of sovereignty.
The US intervention, in which Donald Trump's administration captured Maduro and announced temporary governance until a democratic transition—citing Venezuelan oil interests—has amplified Brazil's electoral tensions.
Bolsonaro family members and allies seized the moment to assail President Lula and the left. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) declared 'communism does not bring prosperity,' arguing dictatorships end when 'peoples choose freedom.' São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos-SP) posted that 'Venezuela is now defeating the left, and may Brazil do the same by year's end,' alongside images of Lula with Maduro. Michelle Bolsonaro likened Lula's and Maduro's governments for allegedly defending traffickers and persecuting opponents.
Other right-wing figures joined in: Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema (Novo-MG), Goiás Governor Ronaldo Caiado (União Brasil-GO), Paraná Governor Ratinho Jr. (PSD-PR) hailed Venezuela's 'liberation,' while Chamber PL leader Sóstenes Cavalcante predicted Trump's backing for Brazil's right.
Lula, who had met Maduro in 2023 but rejected his 2024 reelection, issued a measured response on X, decrying 'bombardments in Venezuelan territory' as a 'grave affront to sovereignty' and international law breach, without naming Trump or Maduro directly, and calling for multilateralism.
PT President Edinho Silva accused the right of 'submissiveness' to Trump, highlighting oil motives and risks to stability. The PT condemned the action as 'military aggression' and Maduro's 'kidnapping.' Leftist deputies like Jilmar Tatto (PT-SP) and Paula Coradi (PSOL) warned of US meddling in Brazilian polls. Flávio Bolsonaro retorted that such 'sovereignty' defenses protect dictatorships.
Moderates, including Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite (PSD-RS) and parties like PSB and PSDB, criticized both Maduro's regime and the US attack.
