Brazil's top diplomat warns of 'Vietnam-style' regional conflict if US attacks Venezuela
Celso Amorim, chief foreign policy adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of a US attack on Venezuela. The veteran diplomat described the closure of Venezuelan airspace by Donald Trump as "an act of war" and warned that it could lead to a Vietnam-style regional conflict.
Amorim's comments come as tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate, with the Biden administration putting pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's regime. The US has imposed a $50m bounty on Maduro's head, launched a major naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea, and carried out airstrikes on alleged drug boats that have killed over 80 people.
Amorim said that if the US were to launch a full-scale invasion of Venezuela, it would lead to a wider regional conflict involving other countries. "The last thing we want is for South America to become a war zone – and a war zone that would inevitably not just be a war between the US and Venezuela," he said.
The Brazilian diplomat also expressed concern about the potential for civil war or guerrilla conflict if Maduro were to fall from power. He acknowledged that there are fears about instability, but noted that the crisis had already happened and many Venezuelans have fled amid economic and democratic collapse.
Amorim floated the idea of a recall referendum as a way to defuse Venezuela's political crisis, recalling how former president Hugo Chávez accepted a similar referendum in 2004. However, he admitted that it was difficult to predict who would win such a referendum now.
The Brazilian government has opposed forced regime change and recognized Maduro's claim to have won the disputed election. Amorim said that Brazil would not impose this on Venezuela, but rather wait for Maduro to reach his own conclusion about leaving power.
The Venezuelan leader has been in power since 2013, when he was democratically elected. However, his government has been widely criticized for authoritarianism and corruption. Maduro has refused to publish the full voting tallies from last year's election, despite opposition claims that he suffered a stinging defeat.
Amorim also expressed concerns about the potential destinations of a fugitive Maduro, including Cuba, Turkey, Qatar, and Russia. He preferred not to speculate on whether Brazil could be an option for Maduro's asylum, saying it was "so as not to appear to be encouraging" the idea.
As tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate, Amorim's warnings about a regional conflict are increasingly relevant. The Brazilian diplomat's words serve as a reminder that the crisis in Venezuela has already had far-reaching consequences for the region, including widespread migration and economic collapse.
The opposition leader María Corina Machado rejected the idea that a decisive action could lead to instability or spark migration. However, Amorim's comments highlight the complexity of the situation and the need for careful diplomacy to prevent a wider regional conflict.
In a statement, Lula da Silva's office emphasized Brazil's commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela. The Brazilian government has called on Trump to engage in dialogue with Maduro, but so far, there has been no clear indication of a willingness to do so.
Celso Amorim, chief foreign policy adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of a US attack on Venezuela. The veteran diplomat described the closure of Venezuelan airspace by Donald Trump as "an act of war" and warned that it could lead to a Vietnam-style regional conflict.
Amorim's comments come as tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate, with the Biden administration putting pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's regime. The US has imposed a $50m bounty on Maduro's head, launched a major naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea, and carried out airstrikes on alleged drug boats that have killed over 80 people.
Amorim said that if the US were to launch a full-scale invasion of Venezuela, it would lead to a wider regional conflict involving other countries. "The last thing we want is for South America to become a war zone – and a war zone that would inevitably not just be a war between the US and Venezuela," he said.
The Brazilian diplomat also expressed concern about the potential for civil war or guerrilla conflict if Maduro were to fall from power. He acknowledged that there are fears about instability, but noted that the crisis had already happened and many Venezuelans have fled amid economic and democratic collapse.
Amorim floated the idea of a recall referendum as a way to defuse Venezuela's political crisis, recalling how former president Hugo Chávez accepted a similar referendum in 2004. However, he admitted that it was difficult to predict who would win such a referendum now.
The Brazilian government has opposed forced regime change and recognized Maduro's claim to have won the disputed election. Amorim said that Brazil would not impose this on Venezuela, but rather wait for Maduro to reach his own conclusion about leaving power.
The Venezuelan leader has been in power since 2013, when he was democratically elected. However, his government has been widely criticized for authoritarianism and corruption. Maduro has refused to publish the full voting tallies from last year's election, despite opposition claims that he suffered a stinging defeat.
Amorim also expressed concerns about the potential destinations of a fugitive Maduro, including Cuba, Turkey, Qatar, and Russia. He preferred not to speculate on whether Brazil could be an option for Maduro's asylum, saying it was "so as not to appear to be encouraging" the idea.
As tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate, Amorim's warnings about a regional conflict are increasingly relevant. The Brazilian diplomat's words serve as a reminder that the crisis in Venezuela has already had far-reaching consequences for the region, including widespread migration and economic collapse.
The opposition leader María Corina Machado rejected the idea that a decisive action could lead to instability or spark migration. However, Amorim's comments highlight the complexity of the situation and the need for careful diplomacy to prevent a wider regional conflict.
In a statement, Lula da Silva's office emphasized Brazil's commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela. The Brazilian government has called on Trump to engage in dialogue with Maduro, but so far, there has been no clear indication of a willingness to do so.
This whole situation is getting super volatile! If the US launches an attack on Venezuela it's gonna spark a massive regional conflict like Vietnam all over again 
. We're talking multiple countries getting involved, innocent people getting hurt... it's just too much 
. Brazil is trying to stay out of it but it's hard not to get drawn in when you've got US diplomacy blowing up in your face 
. I'm all for finding a peaceful solution but it seems like the US side isn't exactly open to talking 
. The stakes are high and things could go from bad to worse really fast 
. We need some smart diplomacy ASAP 
or this whole thing is gonna blow up in everyone's face 
what's next? invasion by proxy? and brazil's worried about a Vietnam-style conflict too... yeah that's not gonna end well 
south america needs to stay out of this mess, tbh 
. we gotta think about all these factors b4 we jump 2 conclusions or start talkin' war 
I mean, I get where Brazil is coming from, not wanting to intervene, but can't they just try to talk to Trump? 
US is seriously considering attacking Venezuela? that's crazy! what if it happens tho? South America would go up in flames 
. The whole situation feels so unpredictable... 
. I think what Amorim is saying makes sense though - if the US goes all in on Venezuela and it escalates into a full-on war, we're looking at a major regional conflict here 
. The idea of Maduro fleeing to another country and potentially getting asylum is also pretty dire, especially with countries like Russia being mentioned as potential destinations 
.
. We can't just impose our will on Venezuela or try to force Maduro out of power without thinking about the potential fallout. This is all just so messy 
.
. And what about all those people who have already fled Venezuela because of economic and democratic collapse? it's heartbreaking to think about them having to start over again 
. I'm all for a peaceful solution but sometimes you just gotta call out the elephant in the room, right? 