‘Brazil is nobody’s backyard’ - Lula challenges US influence at UN
Key Takeaways
- Lula rejected greater US military involvement in Latin America and said “Brazil is nobody's backyard.”
- He criticised the UN, addressed Gaza and Ukraine, and called for diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
- Lula defended Brazil’s control over its critical minerals and warned against foreign influence ahead of the Oct. 4 election.
The Brazilian president rejected a greater US military role in Latin America while defending Brazil’s sovereignty over its natural resources and calling for changes at the United Nations.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to push back against what he described as growing US influence in Latin America and defend Brazil’s sovereignty.
Speaking on Tuesday, Lula warned against what he called renewed attempts by major powers to exert influence over countries in the region.
“In Latin America and the Caribbean, the geographical proximity to the world's largest military power is unavoidable, especially in the context of the resurgence of hegemonic temptations. Brazil is nobody's backyard,” he said
Lula Rejects Greater US Military Role
Turning to organised crime, Lula argued that greater military involvement from the United States was not the answer to criminal networks operating across the region.
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“We don't need aircraft carriers patrolling our waters. We need cooperation to stop the flow of weapons and money that fuels organised crime.”
His comments come as Brazil and the United States face disagreements over sovereignty, security and trade, while both countries deal with concerns over transnational criminal networks.
Lula also criticised what he called "protectionist environmental measures" and asserted Brazil’s control over its critical minerals and rare earth resources.
Lula Criticises United Nations
The Brazilian president also questioned the effectiveness of the UN, pointing to divisions among major powers and the veto held by permanent members of the Security Council.
"The UN is failing in one of its highest missions, which is to free humanity from the scourge of war,” he said.
Lula condemned the war in Gaza and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of committing 'genocide'.
“Generations of Palestinians will bear the pain and the trauma left by the genocide committed by Netanyahu's government against women and children.”
He also criticised Israeli settlements in the West Bank and backed the two-state solution as essential to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Diplomacy Over Ukraine War
On Ukraine, Lula called for diplomacy instead of seeking a solution through military force.
“We all know there will be no winners on the battlefield. Diplomacy is the only option.,” he said.
Lula ended his speech by turning to Brazil’s presidential election scheduled for Oct. 4.
He described the vote as a choice between "democracy and denialism" and warned about foreign influence and disinformation.
The 81st UN General Assembly opened on September 22, 2026, with Brazil traditionally delivering the first national address. The gathering runs through September 28, with global leaders addressing wars, climate change, security and the future of the international system.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
