Bogotá, Colombia – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a sharp rebuke of perceived neo-colonial interference in developing nations Saturday, speaking at a summit in Colombia that brought together leaders from Africa and Latin America. Whereas stopping short of directly naming the United States, Lula’s remarks clearly alluded to recent actions by Washington that have stirred controversy across the region, including the capture of Venezuela’s president and ongoing economic pressure on Cuba. The core of Lula’s message centered on the assertion that external powers should not dictate terms or seek to control the resources of sovereign countries.
“It’s not possible for someone to think that they own other countries,” Lula stated during the high-level forum, a component of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit. He questioned the democratic principles underlying current policies, specifically referencing the situation in Cuba and Venezuela. “What are they doing with Cuba now? What did they do with Venezuela? Is that democratic?” The remarks signal a growing frustration among some Latin American leaders with what they see as a resurgence of interventionist policies reminiscent of past eras.
Lula’s criticism extended beyond Latin America, encompassing the recent conflict involving the U.S. And Israel against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, according to reports from The Hindu. He drew parallels to past justifications for military intervention, pointedly asking, “Iran has been invaded under the pretext that Iran was building a nuclear bomb. Where are Saddam Hussein’s chemical weapons? Where are they? Who found them?” This rhetorical question underscored a broader skepticism towards the stated rationale for foreign policy decisions.
The Brazilian president argued that many nations present at the summit have historically been exploited for their natural resources, and he warned against a renewed attempt to control access to critical minerals and rare earth deposits. “After taking everything we had, now they want to own the critical minerals and rare earths that we have,” Lula said. “They want to colonize us again.” This concern reflects a growing awareness of the strategic importance of these resources and the potential for geopolitical competition over their control.
A History of Intervention and Renewed Concerns
The United States has a long and complex history of involvement in Latin American affairs, dating back to the Monroe Doctrine of the early 19th century, which asserted U.S. Dominance in the Western Hemisphere. While overt intervention diminished after the Cold War, recent actions under the current U.S. Administration have raised alarms among some regional leaders.
Since assuming office last year, the U.S. Administration has undertaken several actions that have been viewed as assertive, including launching naval operations against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean, imposing a naval blockade on Venezuelan oil exports, and intervening in the electoral processes of Honduras and Argentina. In Brazil, a 50% tariff was imposed on Brazilian goods, justified by the U.S. Administration as a response to a legal case involving former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. Has also expressed significant interest in Brazil’s substantial reserves of rare earth minerals.
Perhaps the most dramatic action was the January 3rd capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. Forces, who transported him to the United States to face charges related to drug and weapons trafficking. This move has been lauded by right-leaning governments in the region but has sparked outrage among leftist politicians who view it as a blatant violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.
“We cannot allow anyone to interfere and violate the territorial integrity of each country,” Lula emphasized, reiterating his commitment to defending the sovereignty of nations in the region.
UN Reform and Global Conflicts
Beyond regional concerns, Lula also used his platform to criticize the United Nations’ perceived inability to effectively address global conflicts. He pointed to the ongoing crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran as evidence of the organization’s shortcomings. “What we are witnessing is the total and absolute failure of the United Nations,” he declared, calling for comprehensive reform of the Security Council.
The UN Security Council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, is often hampered by the veto power held by its five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France. Decades of attempts to reform the Council to better reflect the current geopolitical landscape have been unsuccessful. Lula argued that the Council’s structure, established in the aftermath of World War II, is no longer relevant to the challenges of the 21st century.
Echoes of Concern from Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro echoed Lula’s criticisms of the United Nations, stating that the organization is “acting in impotence” and failing to prevent conflicts. Petro, who has been designated a “priority target” by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, also urged the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to pursue dialogue rather than defend “Western civilization.”
“But the world needs the United Nations to provide climate solutions and curb global warming,” Petro added, emphasizing the need for collective action to address pressing global challenges. “The more serious humanity’s problems become, the fewer tools we have for collective action. And that path leads only to barbarism.”
The summit in Colombia was notable for its relatively low attendance of presidents and prime ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean, a reflection of the deep divisions within the region. Those present included the presidents of Brazil, Uruguay, Burundi, and Colombia, as well as the prime ministers of Guyana and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, alongside various ministers and ambassadors.
Looking Ahead
Lula, who has indicated his intention to seek a fourth non-consecutive term in the upcoming October elections, is expected to continue to champion a more independent and assertive foreign policy for Brazil. The immediate focus will likely be on strengthening regional alliances and advocating for a more equitable global order. The next key event will be the CELAC foreign ministers meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay, in late April, where discussions are expected to center on strategies for countering external interference and promoting regional integration.
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