Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is calling on Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian government to denounce Venezuelan Dictator Nicolás Maduro's threats against the United States. Ironically, Maduro said at the International Anti-Fascist Festival that “freedom of Puerto Rico is pending, and we will achieve it with Brazilian troops.”
In a letter, Sen. Scott is calling on Brazilian President Lula to refute these claims threatening American and Puerto Rican sovereignty.
Scott's correspondence begins by accusing Maduro of being an illegitimate leader despite his recent inauguration.
"On Saturday, January 11, 2025, as he celebrated his illegitimate inauguration, Dictator Nicolás Maduro called upon the Brazilian military to invade U.S. territory. In calling for the 'liberation' of Puerto Rico, Maduro blatantly incited war against the United States by means of the Brazilian state," said Sen. Scott. "The global community already knows Maduro stole this election from the Venezuelan people and President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez, and now he has resorted to threatening the U.S. and taking Americans hostage. We cannot stand for this."
Later in the letter, Scott said both the hemisphere and the world need a timely response to Maduro's threats. He called on Brazilian President Lula to share his plans to address Maduro's "incitement" of military force.
"Such incitement cannot go unanswered. The hemisphere, and frankly the world, deserve an immediate response to Maduro’s dangerous words from the Brazilian government," said Scott. "I call upon the Brazilian government to respond formally and clearly, and tell the hemisphere’s governments what your official response is to these dangerous threats. Further, I call on you to explain exactly how the Brazilian government plans to address Maduro’s incitement of military aggression at the Organization of American States or the United Nations."
At the end of his letter, Scott said it's not only imperative that "everyone go on the record" regarding Maduro's presence in the region but also relating to his latest comments.
"It is important for everyone to go on the record regarding the dangers that Maduro represents to peace and stability in the region and the world given that he plays host to the worst enemies the United States and our allies face; namely, Communist China, Russia, Iran and its proxies. It is incumbent upon you, as it is every freedom-loving world leader, to speak up against Maduro’s threats," Scott concluded.
Lula, who in the past has embraced communist and socialist ideology, might not jump to support the United States.
