Venezuela Congratulates Lula on Brazil Win

VENEZUELA · DIPLOMACY

Caracas congratulated Brazil’s re-elected president on election night and promised to keep working together. No call between the two leaders has been reported.

Venezuela government congratulates Lula Brazil election: the Foreign Ministry in Caracas hailed his runoff win on Sunday, 25 October. It praised what it called a forceful display of civic and democratic participation by Brazilians.

It matters to US readers because acting president Delcy Rodríguez runs Venezuela after US forces seized Nicolás Maduro in January. Washington backs her government’s reconciliation talks with the opposition, and Brazil is a key neighbour.

Venezuela Government Congratulates Lula Brazil Election: What It Said

The statement came on Sunday, 25 October, the day of the runoff. Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia posted it on social media, Infobae and Unitel reported.

It said Brazil’s people gave a “forceful display of civic and democratic participation,” in a translation of the Spanish text. Caracas added that it wants to keep its “historic ties of neighbourliness and cooperation” with Brazil.

Diario Última Hora and state broadcaster Radio Nacional de Venezuela quote a communiqué praising the “massive and civic participation” of Brazilians. Radio Nacional says that participation led to Lula’s victory.

Infobae, citing the EFE news agency, says the message was framed around peace, sovereignty, self-determination and solidarity. Diario Última Hora says cooperation will follow Latin American and Caribbean solidarity.

How Lula Won the Brazilian Runoff

Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE), the body that runs and counts the vote, shows 64,256,232 votes (51.79%) for Lula. Conservative senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, has 59,826,041 (48.21%).

The gap is about 4.4 million votes. Diario Última Hora, citing the TSE, gave the same percentages with every ballot counted.

Bolsonaro led the first round with about 47%, roughly 2.2 million votes ahead of Lula, Caraota Digital and Diario Libre reported. Infobae and Caraota Digital say it is the first time since military rule ended that a first-round runner-up won the runoff.

Leaders from Mexico, Paraguay, Ecuador and Panama also congratulated Lula, Diario Libre reported. It named Claudia Sheinbaum, Santiago Peña, Daniel Noboa and José Raúl Mulino, but its report mentions no reaction from the US government.

Why Lula Matters to Venezuela’s Government

Lula was among the first foreign leaders to contact Rodríguez after Maduro’s capture, Infobae and Unitel reported, citing EFE. He reached out again after a double earthquake hit Venezuela on Wednesday, 24 June.

Brazil sent six aircraft with 60 tonnes of supplies, a field hospital and firefighters, O Liberal reported, citing the Brazilian presidency. Rodríguez and Lula spoke on Friday, 10 July, about aid and reconstruction, NTN24 said.

The congratulations came on a busy day for Venezuelan politics. Opposition leader María Corina Machado reappeared in Venezuela on Sunday, 25 October, after almost ten months abroad, El Nacional reported.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that her safe return was a direct result of reconciliation talks Washington supports. Machado is not at the negotiating table, Infobae reported.

What It Means for US Readers

The statement is routine diplomacy, and the reports read announce no change in US policy toward Venezuela. It shows the Rodríguez government keeping channels open with a major neighbour while Washington backs its talks.

Nothing in the reports read points to an immediate change for US investors or travellers. A fourth Lula term matters mainly if Brazil adds to its June reconstruction help, and none is announced.

What Is Not Known

No report read says whether Rodríguez and Lula spoke on election night, and Lula’s reply is not reported. The ministry’s text was read only through news outlets, not on its own website.

Outlets quote slightly different wording, so there may be a communiqué and a separate post by Plasencia. Globovisión headlined the story, but its page could not be opened here.

The reports read mention no US government reaction to the Brazilian result. They also give no date for a Venezuelan presidential election.

What Comes Next

Lula is due to take office on Tuesday, 5 January 2027, under the date set for Brazilian inaugurations. Until then, watch for a call or visit between Caracas and Brasília.

For the wider picture, see what Lula’s win means for Venezuela and the region. Related coverage: Lula’s win and what happens next in Brazil and Rubio on Machado’s return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Venezuela congratulate Lula?

Yes, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry congratulated him on Sunday, 25 October. It praised Brazilians’ civic and democratic participation.

Who governs Venezuela now?

Delcy Rodríguez is acting president of Venezuela. She governs after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro in January.

Who won Brazil’s runoff and by how much?

Lula won with 51.79% against 48.21% for Flávio Bolsonaro, or 64,256,232 votes to 59,826,041. That is a lead of about 4.4 million votes.

Has the US reacted to Lula’s win?

The reports read mention no reaction from the White House or State Department. Marco Rubio did comment on Machado’s return the same day, which is a separate matter.

Why does Brazil matter to Venezuela?

Brazil is a large neighbour that sent aid after the June earthquakes. Lula was also among the first leaders to contact Rodríguez after Maduro’s capture.

Sources: Infobae (EFE), 26 October 2026; Unitel; Diario Última Hora, 26 October 2026; Radio Nacional de Venezuela; AlbertoNews; El Nacional on the result; Caraota Digital; Diario Libre; NTN24; O Liberal; El Nacional on Machado and Rubio; Infobae on Machado; Globovisión (headline only) (all accessed 26 October 2026). More: Venezuela news; Venezuela’s key players; Latin America Power Index.