Trump has 'no right' to threaten countries: Lula

MADRID, Apr 16 (AFP): Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized US President Donald Trump, saying the US leader has "no right" to threaten other nations, in an interview published in Spain on Thursday.

Lula's comments come after Trump this month warned that a "whole civilization will die" in Iran if the country did not open up the Strait of Hormuz.

"Trump has no right to wake up in the morning and threaten a country," Lula told the Spanish daily El Pais, recalling that the US Constitution divides authority over war and foreign policy between Congress and the president.

"It is essential that powerful leaders take greater responsibility in maintaining peace," the 80-year-old leftist president added.

Lula and Trump, 79, stand on opposite sides on issues including multilateralism, international trade and the fight against climate change.

Brasília-Washington relations remain strained, despite a meeting between the leaders last year that helped ease tensions and led to a reduction in trade tariffs.