Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has urged US President Donald Trump to restrict the mandate of his proposed “Board of Peace” to the Gaza crisis, warning against any attempt to rival the United Nations.
The request was made during a 50-minute phone call on Monday, in which both leaders also agreed that Lula would visit Washington in the coming weeks, according to Brazil’s presidency.
Lula, who was invited to join the controversial body, said its scope should be limited to Gaza and include Palestinian representation, while also renewing calls for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of permanent seats on the Security Council.
The Brazilian leader has previously criticised the initiative, accusing Trump of seeking to create “a new UN where only he is the owner.” While the board was initially presented as a mechanism for Gaza’s reconstruction, its charter appears broader, drawing concern from traditional US allies such as France and Britain.
Despite past tensions, relations between Washington and Brasília have improved since the leaders’ first meeting in October, with the US easing tariffs on key Brazilian exports and lifting sanctions on a senior Brazilian judge.
During the call, Lula also raised concerns over Venezuela, calling for peace and stability in the region, after earlier condemning US actions against President Nicolás Maduro as crossing “an unacceptable line.”
Brazil’s presidency said Lula’s Washington visit would take place after his trips to India and South Korea in February, with a date to be announced soon.
