Lula-Trump's 50-Minute Call Reveals Deep Divide Over Venezuela

50 minutes. That's how long Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump spoke on Monday. Yet after this extended diplomatic conversation, the two leaders remain worlds apart on Venezuela.

The call covered Venezuela's crisis, Trump's proposed Gaza "Board of Peace," and organized crime cooperation. But it was Venezuela that exposed the deepest rifts between Washington and Brasilia.

'Unacceptable Line' vs Law and Order

Lula didn't mince words about the US abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month. The Brazilian leader has consistently called the operation—which saw Maduro deposed and flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges—as crossing "an unacceptable line."

During Monday's call, Lula "stressed the importance of preserving peace and stability in the region" and urged Trump to work for Venezuelan people's welfare, according to Brazil's government statement.

Trump's administration, however, views Maduro as a key figure in international drug trafficking. From Washington's perspective, this was law enforcement, not regime change—a necessary step to stabilize Latin America.

The fundamental question: When does international law enforcement become interference in sovereign affairs?

A New UN or Collaborative Framework?

The leaders also discussed Trump's Gaza "Board of Peace," launched last Thursday following the October ceasefire. Lula requested the board "be limited to the issue of Gaza and include a seat for Palestine."

Lula's concern isn't subtle. On Friday, he accused Trump of trying to create "a new UN where only he is the owner." The board's charter doesn't appear limited to Palestinian territory and seems designed to rival the United Nations.

Traditional US allies France and Britain have also expressed doubts about this parallel diplomatic structure. The worry: Will Trump's board complement existing international frameworks or compete with them?

Brazil's Balancing Act

What makes Lula's position particularly intriguing is his recent diplomatic calendar. In recent days, he's held calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The 80-year-old Brazilian leader is threading a complex needle—improving ties with Washington while maintaining his multipolar worldview.

This balanced approach has yielded tangible benefits. Trump's administration exempted key Brazilian exports from 40% tariffs and lifted sanctions on a top Brazilian judge. Relations have markedly improved since their first official meeting in October.

Lula plans to visit Washington after trips to India and South Korea in February, with a date to be set "soon."

The Bigger Picture: Latin America's New Agency

Brazil's approach reflects a broader shift in Latin American diplomacy. Countries are no longer content to be passive recipients of US policy. They're asserting independent positions while maintaining pragmatic cooperation where beneficial.

This "selective partnership" model—cooperating on trade and crime while disagreeing on sovereignty issues—may become the new normal for US-Latin American relations.