Brazilian President Lula da Silva Proposes Acting as Mediator Between Maduro and Trump

As tensions between Washington and Caracas continue to rise, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has volunteered to serve as a mediator between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and U.S. President Donald Trump, in an effort to avoid a broader armed conflict between the two nations.

Speaking to reporters on Dec. 18, Lula said he had spoken with both Maduro and Trump amid rising tensions involving oil tankers and ongoing U.S. military airstrikes in South American waters, warning of the risk of a military escalation.

"Regarding Venezuela, I spoke with Maduro for almost 40 minutes. Then I spoke with President Trump," Lula said, adding that his government opposes any military campaign. "This is a zone of peace, not of war. Things would not be resolved by firing shots. It would be better to sit around a table to find a solution," he added.

Although the Brazilian president did not clarify when the conversations took place, Lula said he remains hopeful he will speak again with Trump in the coming days and reiterated Brazil's commitment to serve as a mediator in the conflict.

"I am thinking that, before Christmas, I may have to speak with President Trump again to see how Brazil can help ensure we reach a diplomatic agreement and not a fratricidal war," Lula said.

Lula questioned whether the motives behind a potential confrontation were oil or rare minerals, saying "no one ever clearly explains why it is necessary to wage this war."

As part of its campaign to put pressure on Maduro and force his hand, the Trump administration recently ordered a "blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers, leading to a steep decline in its exports since the seizure of a large tanker last week.

Overall, there are as many as 11 million barrels in 39 tankers, the outlet said, quoting Samir Madani, co-founder of the firm Tanker Trackers, and Reuters.

Since the seizure, the outlet claimed, only tankers chartered by U.S. oil company Chevron have sailed through the region carrying Venezuelan crude.

Another report noted that U.S. forces could go into Venezuelan waters to seize more oil tankers. Forces are currently waiting for the vessels to leave the waters to seize them, but they could go in if they delay much, a Trump official told Axios on Dec. 16.

The outlet noted that as many as 18 sanctioned ships are in Venezuela's waters, with eight being classified as "Very Large Cargo Container ships," which can carry almost 2 million barrels, the outlet added.

The official said if tankers leave Venezuelan waters the Trump administration will "go to court, get a warrant and then get them." However, if they "make us wait too long, we might get a warrant to get them there," the official added.