While Brazilian political parties and organizations have vocally condemned the latest executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has chosen not to comment. As Washington labels Cuba a "national security threat" and plans sanctions on countries supplying fuel to the island, the halls of the Palácio do Planalto are notably quiet.
The Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), a long-time ally of Lula's Workers' Party (PT), recently issued a statement denouncing what it calls "economic genocide" and an "imperialist policy of collective punishment." The group urged its members to "intensify denunciations and active solidarity with the Cuban people," echoing Cold War-era rhetoric.
Joining this ideological stance were the Brazilian Center for Solidarity with the Peoples (Cebrapaz) and the PT itself, which described the situation as an "open economic war against the island" and accused Washington of trying to "completely stifle the Cuban economy and block fuel supplies."
The PT's statement even included a surprising declaration for 2026: "We will continue to defend the Cuban people, their Revolution, and their ideals of social justice." Yet, neither Lula nor his Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira have spoken out about Trump's executive order, nor have they addressed the alleged abduction of Nicolás Maduro, despite increasing U.S. pressure on the historical allies of the Bolivarian axis.
This silence from Lula starkly contrasts with the fiery rhetoric of his party affiliates, highlighting Brazil's awkward position in a region increasingly aligned with Washington under Marco Rubio's Donroe Doctrine. As Lula carefully measures his words, long-time supporters of Castroism speak on his behalf—as if the revolution's spirit was still alive, despite its diminishing influence in both Brazil and Havana.
The Cuban regime's foreign ministry website mirrors this eerie quiet: a mere echo of the past friendship between Lula and the dictator he once admired, but now seemingly forgets.
Understanding the Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What are the recent U.S. sanctions against Cuba?
The U.S. has enacted sanctions targeting countries that provide fuel to Cuba, viewing the island as a national security threat.
How has Brazil responded to these sanctions?
While various Brazilian organizations have condemned the sanctions, President Lula da Silva has remained silent on the matter.