March 23, 2026
Lula at CELAC
The Colonize Hemisphere talk emerged as a central theme when Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a forceful speech at the CELAC-Africa High-Level Forum in Bogotá on March 21, 2026. Before heads of state and delegations, Lula issued one of his sharpest critiques of US foreign policy in recent years.
He described current military and diplomatic moves as part of a deliberate plan to reimpose colonial dominance across the Western Hemisphere. “They want to colonize us again,” Lula declared, linking recent interventions to a broader erosion of self-determination.
The address came during a pivotal summit uniting Latin American-Caribbean and African leaders. Lula positioned the forum as a platform to resist external tutelage and affirm Global South autonomy.
His words resonated amid escalating tensions: the January 3, 2026 US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, persistent economic blockade on Cuba, and the ongoing US-Israeli offensive against Iran that has ignited wider Middle East conflict.
Lula condemned these as interconnected expressions of coercive power. He accused Washington of fabricating “lies” to justify regional destruction and maintain control over sovereign nations.
Lula highlighted the strategic interest in critical minerals and rare earths as a driving force behind external pressures. Latin America holds vast reserves essential for global technology and energy transitions.
Brazil ranks second worldwide in rare earth reserves after China. Lula warned that foreign powers aim to “own” these resources, echoing historical extraction patterns.
He revealed ongoing talks to boost defense cooperation with South Africa and other partners. This aims to safeguard sovereignty against potential threats tied to mineral access.
The president’s remarks reflect Brazil’s strategic positioning. Lula has resisted US pressure for exclusive agreements on critical minerals, preferring diversified partnerships that preserve national control.
Lula denounced the lethal impact of US naval operations against alleged narco-speedboats in the Pacific and Caribbean. He cited figures showing over 150 deaths since September 2025 from these attacks.
He criticized the use of lethal force as a means of territorial and social control under security pretexts. The operations, part of broader counternarcotics efforts, have drawn scrutiny for civilian casualties and sovereignty violations.
The president framed these incidents as symptoms of wider militarization. They contribute to instability in maritime routes vital for regional trade and migration.
Geopolitical and Regional Implications
Lula’s speech carries profound weight in a multipolar era marked by resource competition and great-power rivalry. By framing US actions as neo-colonial, Lula challenges the Monroe Doctrine’s lingering influence and asserts Latin America’s right to independent development.
In the Americas, the speech strengthens CELAC’s role as a counterweight to OAS dynamics perceived as US-aligned. It bolsters solidarity with Venezuela and Cuba, while linking regional issues to African partnerships against historical exploitation.
Globally, it highlights tensions over critical minerals supply chains. With China dominating rare earth processing, US diversification efforts face resistance from resource-rich nations seeking equitable benefits and strategic autonomy.
The address amplifies calls for multilateralism, peace zones, and non-intervention—core CELAC principles—amid conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East and rising unilateralism.
Lula’s intervention emphasized Latin America’s potential when united. He rejected passivity in the face of external interference, urging active defense of territorial integrity.
The condemnation of Maduro’s capture as “undemocratic” underscores Brazil’s stance against regime-change operations. Lula linked it to Cuba’s blockade—an “anachronistic” measure violating sovereignty.
He portrayed the Iran war as further evidence of coercive foreign policy. Such actions destabilize energy markets and threaten broader escalation.
The president’s table-pounding moment captured the forum’s intensity. Delegates applauded his call to reject tutelage and build independent paths.
As CELAC-Africa ties deepen—with emphasis on reparations and anti-colonial cooperation—Lula’s words position Brazil as a leading voice for the Global South. His warning against recolonization through military, economic, and resource means resonates far beyond Bogotá.
In an uncertain world, the speech serves as both alert and rallying cry: sovereignty demands vigilance, unity, and unwavering commitment to peace with dignity.
Source: Telesur