Brazil recalls ambassador after Milei labels Lula a “thief” at campaign rally

Relations between Brazil and Argentina have taken another sharp turn after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was indirectly attacked by Argentine President Javier Milei during a political rally in Sao Paulo. Brazil responded by recalling its ambassador from Buenos Aires, calling Milei’s remarks an insult to the country’s leadership, institutions, and democracy.

Milei traveled to Brazil over the weekend to support Flavio Bolsonaro, who officially launched his campaign for Brazil’s presidential election scheduled for October. Flavio is the son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and is representing the right wing Liberal Party after his father was barred from seeking office.

During his speech, Milei did not mention Lula by name but referred to “the thief” and “the convict,” comments widely understood to be aimed at the Brazilian president. The remarks referenced Lula’s previous imprisonment on corruption charges before those convictions were later overturned, allowing him to return to politics and win the 2022 presidential election.

Standing alongside Flavio Bolsonaro, Milei praised the candidate and said he believed he was the only person capable of defeating Lula in the upcoming election. The Argentine president has maintained close political ties with the Bolsonaro family and has openly supported their conservative agenda.

Milei also criticized a senior Brazilian Supreme Court judge who oversaw legal proceedings involving Jair Bolsonaro. Without naming Justice Alexandre de Moraes directly, he used insulting language while referring to the judge. Earlier this month, Moraes rejected Milei’s request to visit the former Brazilian president, who is currently under house arrest in Brasilia.

Jair Bolsonaro is serving a prison sentence of more than 27 years after being convicted of plotting a coup to remain in power following his defeat in the 2022 election. Because he is no longer eligible to run for public office, he has endorsed his son Flavio as the candidate for his party in this year’s presidential race.

Brazilian officials reacted strongly to Milei’s comments. According to diplomatic sources, the statements were viewed as offensive not only to the country’s president but also to its judiciary, democratic institutions, and the Brazilian people. In response, Brazil recalled its ambassador from Argentina in a diplomatic protest, signaling growing frustration with Milei’s repeated criticism of the Brazilian government.

President Lula did not directly address Milei’s speech during a public event on Sunday. However, he appeared to respond indirectly by saying that Brazil would not accept interference from outsiders in its internal affairs. His comments were seen as a clear message that foreign leaders should avoid becoming involved in Brazil’s domestic political disputes.

The latest exchange has further strained ties between South America’s two largest economies. Despite their political differences, Brazil and Argentina remain each other’s biggest trading partners, making stable diplomatic relations important for regional trade and economic cooperation.

With Brazil’s presidential election approaching, political tensions are expected to remain high. Milei’s public support for Flavio Bolsonaro and his criticism of Lula have added an international dimension to the campaign, increasing pressure on relations between the neighboring countries at a time when cooperation remains vital on economic and regional issues.