Lula welcomes back banned Venezuelan leader Maduro

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has visited Brazil for the first time since he was banned by former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019.

Mr Maduro was received by the new president, fellow leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, ahead of a summit of Latin American leaders in Brasilia.

"What's important about Maduro coming here is that it's the beginning of Maduro's return," Lula said.

Mr Maduro talked of a "new era" in bilateral relations.

Lula said the region should tackle poverty.

A number of countries question the legitimacy of Mr Maduro, who is described by opponents as a dictator. read more