Washington, Jan 19 (NationPress) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his disapproval of the recent US military operations in Venezuelan territory, cautioning that such unilateral military actions undermine international law and pose a threat to global stability.

In an opinion piece for The New York Times, Lula stated that the US strikes in Venezuela and the takeover of its president on January 3 represent “yet another unfortunate chapter in the ongoing decay of international law and the multilateral framework established post-World War II.”

Lula is set to visit India next month.

He contended that powerful nations are progressively weakening the authority of the United Nations and its Security Council. He emphasized that when military force becomes a norm rather than an exception, “global peace, security, and stability are at risk,” and that selective adherence to international norms undermines both nations and the global order.

Lula maintained that heads of state must be held accountable for actions that threaten democracy and fundamental rights, yet he rejected the notion that any nation possesses the right to impose justice upon another. “It is not valid for one state to claim the right to administer justice,” he wrote.

He cautioned that unilateral actions could jeopardize global stability, disrupt trade and investment, escalate refugee movements, and diminish the capability of states to tackle organized crime and other transnational issues.

The Brazilian leader voiced particular concern about the implications of such practices for Latin America and the Caribbean, a region he believes aims for peace through respect for sovereignty, renunciation of force, and defense of self-determination. He remarked that “this is the first time in over 200 years of independence that South America has faced direct military aggression from the United States, although American forces have intervened in the region previously.”

Lula highlighted that Latin America and the Caribbean, which is home to over 660 million people, has its own interests to safeguard. In a multipolar world, he insisted that no nation should have its foreign relations questioned for pursuing comprehensive engagement. “We will not submit to hegemonic aspirations,” he wrote.

He urged regional governments to adopt a pragmatic agenda that transcends ideological divides, concentrating on attracting investment in both physical and digital infrastructure, creating quality employment, generating income, and promoting trade both within the region and beyond. He asserted that cooperation is vital to mobilize resources to combat hunger, poverty, drug trafficking, and climate change.

Lula noted that history indicates that military force does not bring countries closer to these objectives. He criticized the division of the world into zones of influence and neocolonial exploits for strategic resources as outdated and harmful. He remarked that even the mightiest powers cannot indefinitely rely on fear and coercion.

Regarding Venezuela, Lula affirmed that the future of the country should remain in the hands of its citizens. “Only an inclusive political process led by Venezuelans can pave the way for a democratic and sustainable future,” he wrote. Such a process is crucial for the millions of Venezuelans, many of whom are temporarily sheltered in Brazil, to return home safely.

Lula reiterated Brazil's commitment to collaborating with the Venezuelan government and its people to safeguard the more than 1,300 miles of shared border and enhance cooperation. He also mentioned that his administration has engaged in constructive dialogue with Washington, highlighting that Brazil and the United States are the two most populous democracies in the Americas.