Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil's capital on Monday(May 29) on his first visit to the country in eight years. Lula joined him in slamming the United States for its sanctions on Venezuela.

Maduro was previously banned from entering the country by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

At a news conference after the talks, Lula criticized the US for denying Maduro's legitimacy as Venezuelans elected him.

Lula also said that it is unacceptable for one country to put hundreds of sanctions on another just because it doesn't like it.

Maduro welcomed Lula's comments, stressing that the world should not be built on persecution, sanctions and the dominance of the US dollar. He called for removal of the US sanctions.

The two leaders agreed that they will work together to address international isolation of Venezuela. The country is ruled by a leftist anti-US government with backing from Russia and China.

Lula is set to host a first summit of 11 South American leaders due to open in Brazil on Tuesday. (NHK)