Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has delivered a forceful critique of developed nations’ so-called “neo-colonial” policies toward the Global South, warning that foreign powers are attempting to dominate strategic resources and undermine national sovereignty.
Speaking at the 10th summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on Saturday, 21 March, in Bogotá, Colombia, Lula’s remarks resonated with regional leaders and international observers. While he did not explicitly name former US President Donald Trump, his address referenced recent actions by the Trump administration, including the attempted capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on 3 January and energy sanctions against Cuba. He posed a pointed question to the assembly:
“Who can believe they own another country? What is being done to Cuba and Venezuela—is it democratic?”
Historical Resource Exploitation
Lula highlighted the long history of Latin America’s wealth being plundered, including gold, silver, diamonds, and other minerals, and cautioned that foreign powers are now targeting rare earth minerals and strategic natural resources still controlled by developing nations. He declared:
“After taking what they could from us, they now want to own our rare minerals and rare earths. They seek to make us colonies again.”
Analysts note that these comments gain significance amid US interest in Brazil’s mineral reserves and prior trade tensions, including 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian exports imposed under the Trump administration last year.
Sovereignty and International Conflicts
Lula drew parallels between past Iraq interventions and contemporary military operations in Iran, implicitly criticising US and Israeli actions. Questioning the justification for attacks on Iran over nuclear capabilities, he asked:
“Where were Saddam Hussein’s chemical weapons? Who found them?”
He stressed that violations of territorial integrity or external interference will not be tolerated, reaffirming his commitment to protecting the sovereignty of Global South nations.
Together with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Lula condemned the “extreme failure” of the United Nations in averting global conflicts, citing crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran as evidence. Both leaders called for reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that the veto power of its five permanent members obstructs the UN’s ability to uphold international peace.
Summit Participation
The CELAC summit convened leaders from Brazil, Uruguay, Burundi, Colombia, along with Prime Ministers from Guyana and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among others. Lula’s remarks are widely interpreted as a direct challenge to Monroe Doctrine-style influence and a defence of the sovereignty of Southern Hemisphere nations.
| Theme | Key Points | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Neo-Colonialism | Criticism of foreign exploitation | Focus on rare earths and strategic minerals |
| US and Israel | Military interventions in Venezuela, Cuba, Iran | Questions democratic legitimacy |
| UN Reform | Security Council veto powers | Advocates equitable Global South representation |
| Regional Sovereignty | Strengthening Latin American independence | Defending sovereignty against external pressures |
| Summit Participation | Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Burundi, Guyana, St. Vincent & Grenadines | Highlights political divisions and alliances |
Lula, preparing to seek a fourth term in Brazil’s October elections, has positioned himself as a champion of the Global South, promoting regional unity and resistance to external domination. However, the absence of several heads of state at the summit underscored enduring political divisions within Latin America.
Observers view Lula’s address as a symbolic assertion of regional autonomy, signalling Latin America’s determination to resist renewed hegemonic ambitions while safeguarding its economic and strategic interests.