Brazil Recalls Ambassador From Argentina After Milei's Remarks on Lula

Brazil has recalled its ambassador to Argentina following comments by Argentine President Javier Milei criticizing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian government, and the country's judiciary, according to two sources familiar with the decision.

The diplomatic move comes after Milei traveled to Brazil on Friday for his second visit to the country, where he publicly backed Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s presidential campaign. Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, officially launched his bid on Saturday to challenge Lula in Brazil’s upcoming presidential election in October.

During an event in Sao Paulo alongside Flavio Bolsonaro, Milei referred to Lula as a "convict," accused Brazil’s current administration of being "thieving socialists," and described the conservative candidate as the only leader capable of defeating Lula. The remarks further intensified already strained relations between the neighboring South American nations.

Sources said Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira consulted with President Lula on Sunday morning before deciding to recall Ambassador Julio Bitelli from Buenos Aires. According to one source, the Brazilian government viewed Milei’s statements as a direct insult to Brazil’s leadership and institutions, prompting the diplomatic response.

Relations between Brazil and Argentina have remained tense since Milei took office. The two leaders have maintained minimal diplomatic engagement, with Milei avoiding official meetings with Lula during both of his visits to Brazil. Likewise, Lula has shown no interest in hosting the Argentine president, underscoring the lack of high-level dialogue between the region’s two largest economies.

The latest dispute marks another setback in Brazil-Argentina relations, raising concerns about future cooperation on regional issues, trade, and diplomacy. Political differences between the left-leaning Lula administration and Milei’s libertarian government continue to widen, making meaningful diplomatic engagement increasingly difficult as Brazil heads toward a closely watched presidential election.