Lula open to mediate between US, Venezuela to 'avoid armed conflict'

Lula, one of Latin America's most influential leaders, told reporters that Brazil was "very worried" about the mounting crisis between Venezuela and the United States.

The 80-year-old leftist said he had told US President Donald Trump that "things wouldn't be resolved by shooting, that it was better to sit down around a table to find a solution."

He said he had offered Brazil's help to both leaders to "avoid an armed conflict here in Latin America" and may speak to Trump again before Christmas to reinforce this offer "so that we can have a diplomatic agreement and not a fratricidal war."

"I am at the disposal of both Venezuela and the US to contribute to a peaceful solution on our continent."

Trump's administration accuses Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug trafficking cartel.

Washington has carried out deadly strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats, seized an oil tanker and slapped sanctions on Maduro's relatives.

Trump has also overseen a major military deployment off the coast of Venezuela, and this week declared a blockade of "sanctioned oil vessels" to and from Caracas.

Maduro claims the US seeks regime change instead of its stated goal of stopping drug trafficking.

Lula said he was concerned about what was behind the US campaign.

"It can't just be about overthrowing Maduro. What are the other interests that we don't yet know about?" he said, adding he did not know if it was about Venezuela's oil, or critical minerals, or rare earths.

"Nobody ever says concretely why this war is necessary."