BRICS Summit: Lula da Silva Condemns US Military Presence in the Caribbean
During the BRICS summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the United States military deployment in the Caribbean, emphasizing the region’s status as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, reaffirmed by the Treaty of Tlatelolco, reports 24brussels.
Lula’s remarks were welcomed by Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry, representing President Nicolás Maduro. The Ministry highlighted the importance of respecting Latin America’s status as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, a commitment established in 1967.
In a message on Telegram, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil expressed support for Lula’s call for respect of this principle and urged for revitalization of multilateralism at the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The Brazilian president criticized the US military presence in the Caribbean Sea, referring to it as “a factor of tension incompatible with the peaceful vocation of this region.”
Lula specifically noted the presence of eight missile-equipped warships and a nuclear-powered submarine, deployed under the previous Trump administration’s pretext of combatting drug trafficking. He argued that this deployment contradicts the spirit of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which aimed to create a densely populated zone free of nuclear weapons.
The Venezuelan support for Lula’s declarations further emphasizes the importance of maintaining the region as a peace zone, adhering to nuclear non-proliferation and multilateralism principles.
Strengthening Venezuela-Brazil Relations
On the same day, to celebrate Brazil’s 203rd Independence Anniversary, Venezuela’s Deputy Minister for Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania, Tatiana Pugh Moreno, accompanied Brazilian Ambassador Glivania María de Oliveira in placing flowers at the sarcophagus of Simón Bolívar in the National Pantheon of Caracas.
The ceremony, attended by various diplomats and officials from Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry, featured the national anthems of both Venezuela and Brazil, symbolizing their strong bilateral ties.
Since the suspension of bilateral relations in 2019, ties between Venezuela and Brazil have been revitalized following Lula’s return to the presidency in 2023. Increased cooperation has been a focus, with recent engagements highlighting mutual interests.
Furthermore, during the Amazonian Countries Summit in Bogotá, Foreign Ministers Yván Gil and Mauro Vieira reiterated their commitment to national and regional sovereignty, particularly in light of US aggression plans, further strengthening their diplomatic relationship.
