Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 26/7 that it had recalled Ambassador Julio Bitelli from Argentina for consultations, citing recent "insulting remarks" made by Argentine President Javier Milei.
The diplomatic move follows Milei's participation in a political event in Sao Paulo last weekend, where Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, was named as the party's presidential candidate. During his speech, the Argentine president accused Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of being a "criminal" and a "thief".
Milei also referred to Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes as "scum" after Moraes refused to allow the Argentine president to visit Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest facing charges of attempting a coup.
In a subsequent interview, President Milei escalated his accusations, claiming that Argentina was the target of a smear campaign launched by Brazil. This campaign, he alleged, aimed to defame Lionel Messi and his teammates ahead of the 2026 World Cup. "'Who spent the most money on the anti-Argentina campaign? The Brazilian government. Around 25% of the resources came from the Brazilian government', he said. 'And then they say I interfere'." Milei also implicated Mexico and the US Democratic Party in funding the alleged campaign, describing them as "radical minds who do not want liberal ideas to succeed", without elaborating.
Diplomatic sources, cited by AFP on 26/7, stated that the Argentine president had "insulted two branches of state power, the Brazilian people, and Brazilian democracy". The sources added that the Brazilian government had summoned Argentina's ambassador on the same day to discuss Milei's statements.
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Argentine President Javier Milei (left) and Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Sao Paulo, 25/7. Photo: AP. |
Argentine President Javier Milei (left) and Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Sao Paulo, 25/7. Photo: AP.
Brazilian Supreme Court Chief Justice Edson Fachin condemned Milei's comments as "disrespectful to a judge of the country's highest court".
The remarks also drew criticism from within Argentina. Former Argentine President Alberto Fernandez denounced Milei for "shouting like a madman", emphasizing that insulting the president of a brotherly nation and main trading partner was unforgivable. Axel Kicillof, Governor of Argentina's Buenos Aires province and a potential candidate for next year's general election, contacted Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to express that "Milei does not represent the sentiments and aspirations of the Argentine people". Kicillof added that he felt deeply ashamed to witness President Milei insult the government, president, and entire nation of Brazil. "'From Buenos Aires province, we affirm that Argentina always respects brotherly nations and is committed to promoting regional integration', Kicillof said."
