In direct outreach to Brazil, United States President Joe Biden contacted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to reiterate Washington’s support for Brazil’s democratic institutions during a period of domestic disruption. The White House press service communicated the phone conversation, noting that the dialogue underscored the importance of a peaceful and lawful transfer of power and the rule of law. The disclosure appears to have been reported by international outlets such as TASS, which cited the White House briefing as the source of the information.
According to the briefing, Biden condemned the violence and the deliberate attacks targeting democratic processes and institutions. The administration framed the call as part of ongoing consultations with Brazil’s leadership, emphasizing a shared commitment to constitutional governance and political stability in the hemisphere. The statement suggested that Biden invited Lula to Washington for a series of consultations in early February, signaling a desire to coordinate approaches on regional security, democratic resilience, and future bilateral cooperation.
The public briefing comes amid events as supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — who had challenged the validity of the electoral outcome — breached security at Brazil’s National Congress in Brasília. Law enforcement agencies subsequently regained control, employing tear gas to disperse crowds. The episode has prompted ongoing investigations and a careful assessment of security measures around key government facilities as the country navigates political tensions in the aftermath of the election.
As prosecutions and judicial proceedings advance, authorities reported that about 1.2 thousand individuals were arrested in connection with the unrest, with prosecutors seeking penalties that could extend to up to 12 years of imprisonment for those charged with criminal activity linked to the disturbance. The numbers and potential penalties reflect the seriousness with which Brazilian authorities are treating these acts against the democratic order.
On the international stage, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, commented that Moscow views any attempts to disrupt Brazil’s constitutional order as unacceptable and unacceptable interference with its domestic affairs. In Moscow’s view, these disruptions are a matter of sovereignty and constitutional integrity.
Further remarks from Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin press secretary, echoed a firm stance, stating that the Russian government condemns those who incite unrest in Brazil and reaffirms support for Brazil’s constitutional processes. The Russian position aligns with a broader pattern of observing developments in Brazil with careful, official language while avoiding interference in domestic political matters.
Overall, the exchanges among the United States, Brazil, and other major actors highlight shared concerns about preserving democratic norms in the region. Analysts note that the bilateral dialogue, including the planned White House visit by Lula, signals an intent to bolster cooperative efforts on governance, security, and regional stability. Observers also consider the implications for bilateral priorities, such as trade, energy, and multilateral collaboration within hemispheric frameworks.
In recent days, government spokespeople emphasized that the United States remains committed to constructive engagement with Brazil, supporting lawful processes and peaceful expressions of political opinion. The conversation with Lula reflects a broader strategy of reinforcing democratic resilience and encouraging transparent, lawful political transitions in Latin America.