Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Monday and agreed to visit Washington soon, according to a Reuters report, citing the Brazilian government statement.
The 50-minute call covered a range of issues, including the crisis in Venezuela, Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative and cooperation in combating organised crime.
On Venezuela, Lula emphasised the importance of “preserving peace and stability in the region,” as the situation remains tense following recent US actions involving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move Lula previously condemned as crossing “an unacceptable line.”
The two leaders also discussed the fight against organised crime, and Lula stressed the need to work for the welfare of the Venezuelan people.
Details on Trump’s Board of Peace and Brazil’s potential role were discussed, though no formal agreement on participation was announced.
Board of Peace
Lula also suggested that Trump's new proposal for a Board of Peace be limited to the situation in Gaza, as global powers worry the initiative launched last Thursday could assume a wider role and rival the United Nations.
Brazil's president also called for Palestinian representation on the board, according to the statement.
Lula said last week that Trump was attempting to create a "new UN" and be its sole owner, yet the US president has said the Board of Peace would work alongside the UN.
The Brazilian government's statement did not say whether Lula accepted Trump's invitation to join the initiative.
With inputs from agencies
