Rio Grande: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump, accusing him of attempting to "rule the world" through social media platforms. Speaking at a public event in the southern municipality of Rio Grande, Lula expressed concern over the shifting nature of global leadership and communication.
"Have you noticed that Trump wants to rule the world through Twitter?" Lula asked the audience, according to a Xinhua news agency report. He questioned the volatility of such an approach, noting, "He says something different every day. It's not possible."
Lula used the occasion to advocate for more direct human connection, arguing that digital interactions often strip away dignity. "Do you think it's possible to treat people with respect if we don't look them in the face? To think of them as objects rather than human beings?" he added.
The comments were made during a ceremony marking the handover of 1,276 homes under a federal housing programme, which is expected to benefit approximately 5,000 residents in Rio Grande do Sul. Lula framed his criticism of Trump within a broader appeal to "restore humanism in social relations."
Reinforcing his stance on digital detachment, Lula urged the public to reduce cellphone usage and prioritise personal relationships. He also defended his administration’s 2024 policy banning mobile phones in elementary and middle schools.
Regarding geopolitical matters, the Brazilian president has notably remained silent on Trump's recent invitation to join a proposed "Board of Peace" to oversee the situation in Gaza. However, he has been vocal about US activities elsewhere in the region.
Earlier, Lula condemned recent American military actions in Venezuela. In an opinion piece for The New York Times, he described the US bombings and the January 3 capture of the Venezuelan president as "yet another regrettable chapter in the continuous erosion of international law and the multilateral order established after World War II," warning that unilateral force threatens global stability.
(Inputs from IANS)