Brazil Reduces Diplomatic Presence After Milei Insults Lula
Brazil reduced its diplomatic presence in Argentina after President Javier Milei repeatedly called President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a thief and a convict.
The Brazilian government reduced its diplomatic presence in Argentina on Tuesday following repeated verbal attacks by Argentine President Javier Milei against Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. During an interview on LN+ and a party convention for Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Milei labeled Lula a thief and a convict, citing the former's imprisonment during the Operation Car Wash corruption probe. Milei asserted that Lula was released due to an administrative error rather than innocence.
Beyond his attacks on Lula, Milei described Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes as trash. In response, Brazil recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires, Julio Bitelli, stating he will not return while Milei continues his aggressive rhetoric. While Argentine spokesperson Adrian Ravier attributed the friction to ideological differences, Milei defended his comments as being based on the ideals of freedom.
These tensions occur as Brazil simultaneously faces diplomatic strain with the United States. The United States Department of State revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington in retaliation for Brazil's previous denial of visas to two American diplomats.
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