Lula Meets Interim President of Venezuela at COP31
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with the interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, during COP31 in Antalya, Turkey. The leaders expressed willingness to fully resume bilateral relations, which have been strained since 2024. The Venezuelan official suggested sending a delegation of negotiators to her country.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) met with Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez on Tuesday (11/11) in Antalya, Turkey. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 31st United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP31). It was the first face-to-face contact between the two since the former vice president took over the neighboring country in January this year.
The talks signal an attempt at rapprochement between Brazil and Venezuela, whose relations shook in 2024 after the controversial Venezuelan presidential election. According to the Planalto, the two leaders have shown their willingness to work for the full resumption of the bilateral relationship.
Context of the crisis between countries
The distancing between Brasilia and Caracas began after Venezuelan elections in 2024, marked by allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency. At the time, the Brazilian government avoided recognizing the result and charged for the disclosure of electoral records. The posture generated diplomatic friction and reduced dialogue between nations.
Since then, the political situation in Venezuela has changed dramatically. In January of this year, Nicolás Maduro was captured by the Estados Unidos, and Delcy Rodríguez, then vice president, assumed interim command of the country. The transition has opened up space for new conversations between governments.
First Presence Meeting
The meeting at COP31 marks the first face-to-face meeting between Lula and Delcy after the change of leadership in Caracas. Before that, the Brazilian president called at least three times the political heiress of Maduro. One of those calls occurred on January 3, the same day as the U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of the former Venezuelan president and his wife, Cilia Flores.
According to the Brazilian government, the interim Venezuelan president suggested that a delegation of negotiators be sent to Venezuela, with the aim of discussing the matter. The proposal indicates the intention to resume formal channels of dialogue between the two countries.
Readiness to resume relationships
According to the Planalto, Lula and Delcy have shown themselves willing to work for the full resumption of the bilateral relationship. The gesture is seen as an important step in rebuilding trust between nations, which share an extensive border and relevant economic ties.
There are no details about the composition of the Brazilian delegation or the dates of the negotiations. The source did not detail the next steps, but the signage on both sides suggests progress in the conversations.
Regional impact and next steps
The rapprochement between Brazil and Venezuela may have a bearing on the political stability of South America. Brazil, as the region’s largest economy, plays a strategic role in crisis mediation and cooperation on issues such as energy and migration.
Experts heard by the report assess that the resumption of dialogue is positive, but stress that the consolidation of relations will depend on concrete gestures, such as the recognition of the legitimacy of the interim government and the definition of a common agenda. The source did not specify any deadlines or conditions for sending the delegation.
The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to monitor the developments of this re-approximation and will bring new information as it is confirmed by the authorities.
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