Brazil has pulled its ambassador from Buenos Aires following sharp criticism of the country’s leadership by Argentine President Javier Milei during his visit to Brazil, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.
Milei arrived in Brazil on Friday for his second trip to the country, this time to show support for Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s presidential campaign. The senator, who is the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, formally announced his candidacy on Saturday with the goal of defeating Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula has been widening his advantage in polls ahead of October’s elections.
While appearing with Bolsonaro in Sao Paulo, Milei did not hold back in his criticism of the sitting Brazilian president. He referred to Lula as a “convict,” described the Brazilian government as “thieving socialists,” and declared that the conservative candidate was the only person who could “stop Lula.”
The decision to withdraw Brazilian envoy Julio Bitelli came Sunday morning, after Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira consulted with Lula, the sources said. One source described Milei’s comments as a “direct affront” to the Brazilian government.
Relations between the two South American neighbors have been virtually nonexistent at the diplomatic level. Milei has not requested an official meeting with Lula on either of his visits to Brazil, and Lula has shown no interest in meeting with him.
