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US President plans to hold Lula accountable on issues of bilateral interest and international politics
With the election of Donald Trump in the United States, the international relations scenario in President Lula's Brazil and Latin America takes on a new shape, especially with the Venezuela.
The Trump administration, which begins in January, has already signaled that it will adopt a more aggressive stance towards the government of Nicolás Maduro, prioritizing a strategy of “maximum pressure” to isolate the Venezuelan regime and contain its influence in the region.
According to an article published in UOL by the journalist Jamil Chad, the American government will seek to build a coalition of Latin American countries with the aim of combating the advance of communism and strengthening its position in the hemispheric energy sector.
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The new American foreign policy strategy also aims to ensure that the supply of oil for the US to depend less on distant regions and focus on sources in its own hemisphere, such as Venezuela, Canada and Mexico.
This new approach places Brazil in a relevant role, being pressured to adopt a more rigid stance in relation to the Maduro government.
The international scenario and the relationship between the United States and Venezuela
Joe Biden's administration has taken a different approach to Venezuela, seeking a diplomatic solution to the crisis political of the country. The White House held negotiations with Maduro and the opposition, which culminated in the Barbados agreement, signed in October 2023, which provided for free elections in Venezuela and the gradual removal of sanctions imposed by the United States.
However, Trump advisers and Republican Party members believe Biden was “deceived” by Maduro, since they consider that the Venezuelan president used the agreement to gain time and avoid sanctions without effectively giving in on essential issues.
For Trump, the solution does not involve a strategy of concessions and negotiations, but rather increasing pressure and dismantling the influence of the Maduro regime.
The “maximum pressure” policy will aim to isolate Venezuela economically by restricting trade and access to resources International while building a coalition between neighboring countries. The goal is to limit dependence on Venezuelan oil and ensure that trade relations are aligned with U.S. interests.
Project 2025 and the Republicans' strategy
A document drafted by Republicans, known as Project 2025, was created to serve as a kind of guide for the new Trump administration. Among those responsible for its preparation is Kiron Skinner, former Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department.
The project describes Venezuela as a threat to the hemisphere due to its close ties with anti-American powers such as China and Iran, and suggests that the next US government adopt a more rigid stance to contain the advance of communism in Latin America.
According to the document, “the Communist leadership (of Venezuela) has moved closer to some of the United States' greatest international enemies, including China and Iran, which have long sought a foothold in the Americas".
This proximity is seen as a threat to the security of the United States and its allies in the region. Project 2025 emphasizes the importance of the next American administration positioning itself as a leader of a hemispheric coalition, promoting security policies and aligning the region with the economic interests of the United States. EUA.
President Lula's Brazil at the center of international pressure
For Republicans, Brazil is a strategic ally in this context and will be pressured to adopt a clear position in relation to the Maduro government.
Since Lula's election, Brazil has adopted a stance of dialogue with Venezuela, which has raised concerns in Washington.
However, the Brazilian government's decision not to recognize Venezuela's July 2023 elections was seen as a positive step by Republicans, who believe the stance paves the way for closer collaboration.
In September, a Brazilian mission sent to dialogue with Republican representatives in the US found a rigid stance and a clear willingness to pressure Brazil to support the coalition against Maduro.
The expectation is that the Lula government will take more incisive measures, aligning itself with the American strategy of containing Venezuelan influence in the region.
The energy issue and the role of Venezuela
Project 2025 also highlights the energy sector as a priority for Trump's foreign policy. One of the goals of the new US administration is to reduce dependence on oil imported from distant locations, preferring closer sources, such as Venezuela, Canada and Mexico.
For the United States, Venezuela represents an important piece in the reorganization of energy supply, and an alliance with countries in the hemisphere would allow greater energy autonomy and a reduction in transportation and logistics costs.
The document argues that the United States should invest in a regional energy integration policy that allows a free flow of resources between countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Furthermore, collaboration in the energy sector would help cement U.S. leadership in the region, maintain energy security, and reduce dependence on distant and potentially manipulable sources of fossil fuels.
Regional security and international collaboration
In addition to the energy issue, the American strategy involves strengthening regional security. Venezuela and other Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana, are seen as vulnerable to influence from external powers, such as China and Russia.
In Project 2025, the United States reaffirms its commitment to leading a coalition of democratic countries in the hemisphere, promoting security and combating external threats.
The document warns that the Western Hemisphere is increasingly susceptible to socialist and progressive regimes, considered a threat to regional stability and security.
With this concern in mind, the Trump administration intends to lead an international cooperation initiative that encompasses security, economic development and policies to combat foreign influence.
