Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday and agreed to make a visit to Washington in the near future, the Brazilian government said in a statement. During the 50‑minute conversation, the two leaders covered a range of topics, including the situation in Venezuela, Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, and efforts to combat organized crime.
On the issue of Venezuela, Lula emphasized the need to “preserve peace and stability in the region,” according to the statement. He has been critical of the U.S. detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—who was removed from power earlier this month and taken to New York on drug‑trafficking charges—calling the action an “unacceptable line” that should not be crossed. Lula also stressed the importance of working toward the well‑being of the Venezuelan people.
Regarding the Board of Peace, Lula suggested that Trump’s new proposal should be focused on the situation in Gaza, noting concerns among global powers that the initiative, launched last Thursday, could expand its role and potentially rival the United Nations. He also called for Palestinian representation on the board. Last week, Lula had said that Trump was seeking to create a “new U.N.” under U.S. control, although Trump has stated that the Board of Peace would complement the United Nations.
The Brazilian government’s statement did not indicate whether Lula had accepted Trump’s invitation to participate in the initiative.