Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said the move follows repeated personal attacks by Milei against Lula, including remarks made several times since Sunday in which the Argentine president referred to the Brazilian leader as “a thief.” Brazilian officials said Milei also used the same language during a July 25 political convention attended by Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Lula’s expected opponent in the upcoming election.
The decision marks an unprecedented diplomatic downgrade in modern relations between the neighboring countries.
Brazil Maintains Reduced Diplomatic Representation
Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, in July after earlier comments by Milei targeting Lula.
Since then, Brazil’s embassy in Buenos Aires has been led by a chargé d’affaires rather than a full ambassador.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Ambassador Bitelli will not return to Argentina while Milei continues making what Brazil considers offensive public statements against the Brazilian president.
Lula has not publicly responded to Milei’s latest remarks.
Political Dispute Expands Beyond Bilateral Relations
The diplomatic tensions extend beyond the relationship between the two presidents.
During the July political convention, Milei also criticized Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes after the judge rejected his request to visit former President Jair Bolsonaro.
■ Related News
Bolsonaro is serving a prison sentence under house arrest following his conviction over an attempted coup.
Relations between Brasília and Buenos Aires have remained strained since Milei took office in December 2023, reflecting broader ideological differences between the two governments.
Election Campaign Raises Foreign Influence Concerns
The dispute comes as Brazil’s presidential campaign gains momentum.
Lula was formally nominated Sunday as the presidential candidate of the governing Workers’ Party for the October election.
Party leaders used the convention to express concerns about potential foreign political influence in Brazil’s electoral process.
Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who will again serve as Lula’s running mate, defended Brazil’s electronic voting system while making an apparent reference to Milei and U.S. President Donald Trump.
He said the country’s voting system was so reliable that it “doesn’t accept any votes from Argentines and Americans.”
Diplomatic Strains Continue to Grow
The latest dispute also coincides with broader tensions between Brazil and the United States.
Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. State Department revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington after Brazil denied visas last month to two American diplomats seeking to visit the country before the election.
The developments underscore how political disagreements are increasingly shaping diplomatic relations across the region as Brazil approaches a closely watched presidential vote.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
#Brazil, #Argentina, #LuizInacioLuladaSilva, #JavierMilei, #Diplomacy, #SouthAmerica, #BrazilElection2026, #FlavioBolsonaro, #GeraldoAlckmin, #WorldNews
