Venezuela thanks Lula and the Brazilian people for their support after the US attack.

247 - Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil said on Friday (9) that he thanked “in a special way President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the people of Brazil for the support and assistance given to Venezuela during the most critical moments after the aggression suffered”.

"I reaffirmed that Venezuela will continue to confront this aggression through diplomatic means, faithful to the principles of Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, as the only way to defend our sovereignty and preserve peace," the Foreign Minister emphasized. 

Read the statement in full:

I held talks with the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; with the President of the Republic of Colombia, Gustavo Petro; and with the President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, in the context of the serious criminal, illegal and illegitimate aggression perpetrated against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

During these exchanges, I provided detailed information about the armed attacks against our territory, which resulted in the deaths of over one hundred civilians and military personnel, as well as about the serious violations of International Law, including the violation of the personal immunity of the constitutional president of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and the first lady and leading combatant, Cilia Flores.

Similarly, we agreed on the need to advance a broad agenda of bilateral cooperation, based on respect for international law, the sovereignty of states, and dialogue between peoples.

I especially thanked President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the people of Brazil for the support and assistance given to Venezuela during the most critical moments following the aggression suffered.

With President Gustavo Petro, I reaffirmed that Colombia and Venezuela are brother countries, committed to moving forward together to confront and resolve the problems that affect us in common, based on mutual respect and regional cooperation.

During my conversation with President Pedro Sánchez, I expressed my gratitude for the Spanish government's stance in condemning the aggression against Venezuela and reiterated our interest in working together on a broad bilateral agenda that would benefit both our peoples and governments.

I reaffirmed that Venezuela will continue to confront this aggression through diplomatic means, faithful to the principles of Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, as the only way to defend our sovereignty and preserve peace.

Context

On May 2nd, the United States kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration justified the action as part of a crackdown on drug trafficking, while the US interest lies in Venezuela's oil reserves, estimated at over 300 billion barrels. This volume represents approximately 17% of the world's proven oil reserves.

Following the incident, protesters from various countries held demonstrations and acts of solidarity with Venezuela. The mobilizations took place in capitals of Latin America, as well as cities in Europe, Asia, and the United States. The United Nations (UN) also issued a warning about the seriousness of US interference in Venezuelan territory.

Beyond its interest in energy resources, the United States seeks to contain the deepening of Latin America's relations with China and the BRICS. This group brings together countries that are forming a front to challenge US hegemony in international politics and advocate initiatives such as the creation of a common currency among its members, with the goal of reducing dependence on the dollar in global transactions.