Brazil has recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires after Argentine President Javier Milei made derogatory remarks about Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, referring to him as a "thief" and a "convict." The comments were made on Sunday at a rally in Sao Paulo intended to launch the presidential campaign of right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro.
Milei, speaking alongside Bolsonaro, stated that Bolsonaro was the only candidate who could "stop Lula." Brazilian diplomats responded by saying the Argentine leader had insulted Brazil's government, its people, and its democracy. President Lula later stated that he 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."
Brazil's ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, was expected to return to Brazil between Sunday and Monday. Milei also referred to Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who previously denied Milei permission to visit former President Jair Bolsonaro while he was under house arrest, as "bald trash."
Jair Bolsonaro, the father of Flávio Bolsonaro, was sentenced last year to over 27 years in prison for plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the previous election to Lula. In 2018, Lula was sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption but was released after serving more than 18 months. These convictions were annulled by the Supreme Court in 2021, and Lula subsequently defeated Jair Bolsonaro in the following presidential election.