In brief
Javier Milei publicly accused former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of theft and imprisonment during a rally in São Paulo, inviting diplomatic tension. The remarks were made while Milei supported the campaign of right‑wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Brazil responded by recalling its ambassador from Argentina, signaling a serious diplomatic standoff. President Lula defended Brazil’s autonomy and dismissed the accusations. This incident underscores growing political friction between the two neighboring nations.
In a rally in São Paulo, Argentina’s President Javier Milei accused former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of being a "thief" and a "convict". The remarks were made while Milei was supporting the presidential campaign of the right‑wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro.
Brazil’s diplomatic mission reported that Milei’s comments also insulted the Brazilian government, its people and its democracy. In response, Brazil recalled its ambassador from Buenos Aires, signalling a serious diplomatic breach.
Lula defended Brazil’s sovereignty, stating that the country would continue to lead "without anyone’s interference" and that "in Brazil we do not accept anyone sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong."
The recall of the ambassador was scheduled to occur between Sunday and Monday, per AFP reports.
These events come against a backdrop of a contentious political climate in both countries, including a history of legal disputes involving Bolsonaro’s family and Lula’s own past convictions, which were later annulled by Brazil’s Supreme Court.
