Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva phoned Delcy Rodríguez on Jan. 5, the Brazilian Presidency said on Monday, after a U.S. military operation removed Nicolás Maduro from power. Lula called the U.S. action an "unacceptable line," but his office gave no further details about the call. According to a government source, the call was made to verify media reports; Rodríguez was formally sworn in on Monday as interim president.
Lula Phoned Venezuela's Newly Sworn Acting President After U.S. Military Operation
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva looks on before posing for a family photo with ministers during a ministerial meeting at Granja do Torto official residence, in Brasilia, Brazil, December 17, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
In Brasília on Jan. 5, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva placed a phone call to Delcy Rodríguez, who was serving as Venezuela's acting president, the Brazilian Presidency said on Monday. The call followed a U.S. military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela.
Lula condemned the U.S. action, saying it had crossed an "unacceptable line." The Presidency declined to provide further details about the substance of Saturday's conversation.
According to a Brazilian government source, Lula phoned Rodríguez to verify media reports he had seen about the U.S. military intervention. Rodríguez — who had been Maduro's vice president — was formally sworn in on Monday as Venezuela's interim president.
Context: The call underscores Brazil's swift diplomatic response to the dramatic change in Venezuela's leadership and highlights regional concern over the U.S. operation.
Reporting: Lisandra Paraguassu; Writing: Fernando Cardoso; Editing: Franklin Paul and Lisa Shumaker.
