Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a stark warning about the growing tensions over Venezuela, coming out against any military involvement by the United States, saying it could unleash a "humanitarian catastrophe" across the Western Hemisphere. 

His comments were made at the summit of the South American Mercosur bloc in Foz do Iguaçu, according to Reuters.

Lula said that armed intervention in Venezuela would harm international norms and stability.

The U.S. has stepped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, including a blockade of oil shipments tied to sanctions.

At the summit, leaders reaffirmed their support for peaceful dialogue and democratic principles in addressing Venezuela’s political and humanitarian crisis, rejecting solutions that rely on force, Reuters reported.