Lula, Panama’s Mulino Talk Venezuela as Brazil Moves to Join Canal Neutrality Protocol

Overview

• President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke by phone with Panama’s José Raúl Mulino, exchanging views on Venezuela after the January 3 U.S. operation and reaffirming commitments to peace, the UN and international law.
• Both leaders confirmed Lula’s January 28 visit to Panama to open the CAF regional economic forum and hold a bilateral meeting on commerce, investment and cooperation tied to Panama’s Mercosur associate status.
• Lula said he began the procedure for Brazil to adhere to the 1977 Panama Canal neutrality protocol, a step that would still require approval by Brazil’s Congress.
• The Mulino call was reported as Lula’s seventh recent contact with foreign leaders about Venezuela, following talks with Gustavo Petro, Claudia Sheinbaum, Pedro Sánchez, Vladimir Putin, Mark Carney and Luís Montenegro.
• Lula criticized the use of trade as an instrument of coercion and voiced support for Panama’s sovereignty over the canal, comments reported in the context of U.S. rhetoric.