Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has stated that U.S. President Donald Trump was elected to govern the United States, not to dictate global affairs.
“I respect the election of President Trump, who was chosen by the American people to govern the United States,” Lula said in an interview with two radio stations in Bahia on Thursday. “But he was not elected to rule the world.”
Lula made the remarks when asked about Trump’s recent proposal to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. He emphasized that Trump must uphold “democratic and civilized” international relations.
Trump had announced on Tuesday that the U.S. would take control of Gaza and redevelop the area after relocating Palestinians elsewhere—a statement that sparked international criticism.
Lula also condemned the U.S.’s tendency to position itself as “a symbol of democracy and the world’s sheriff,” describing Trump’s comments on territorial occupations as “provocations.”
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the international community to persist in efforts for a full ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza. Speaking at a session of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Guterres reiterated the need for urgent diplomatic action.
