Brazil scales back diplomatic presence in Argentina after Milei's fresh attacks on Lula
Brazil has reduced its diplomatic presence in Argentina after Argentine President Javier Milei renewed personal attacks on President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marking an unprecedented diplomatic rift between the neighbouring countries in recent history.
Brazil's foreign ministry said Milei had referred to Lula as "a thief" three times since Sunday, prompting the government to maintain its decision to downgrade diplomatic representation in Buenos Aires.
Brazil recalled its ambassador, Julio Bitelli, in July following Milei's earlier remarks against Lula. The country's mission in Argentina is now headed by a chargé d'affaires, and Bitelli will not return while Milei continues making hostile comments, a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
The latest remarks came after Milei criticised Lula during a political event on July 25 and also described Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes as "trash" after the judge denied his request to visit former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest following his conviction in a coup-related case.
Lula has not publicly responded to Milei's comments. Relations between the two leaders have remained strained since Milei took office in December 2023.
The diplomatic tensions come amid broader strains between Brazil and the United States. Earlier on Tuesday, the US State Department revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington after Brazil denied visas to two American diplomats last month.
Lula was formally confirmed as his Workers' Party's presidential candidate for October's election on Sunday. At the party convention, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin dismissed concerns over foreign interference, saying Brazil's electronic voting system "does not accept any votes from Argentines and Americans" — an apparent reference to Milei and US President Donald Trump.
