Diplomatic Freeze? Brazil Pulls Back Ambassador Role After Milei Targets Lula Again

Brazil has reduced its diplomatic presence in Argentina following repeated attacks by Argentine President Javier Milei against Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marking an unprecedented diplomatic setback between the two neighbouring countries.

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Ambassador Julio Bitelli, who was recalled from Buenos Aires in July after Milei’s initial remarks against Lula, will not return to Argentina as long as the Argentine leader continues making what Brazil considers aggressive comments against its president.

A spokesperson for Brazil’s foreign office said Milei has referred to Lula as a “thief” three times since Sunday, adding that the Argentine president had made similar remarks earlier at a political convention linked to Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

The diplomatic dispute intensified after Milei also criticised Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, calling him “trash”. Moraes had rejected Milei’s request to visit Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest while serving a 27-year sentence related to a coup attempt case.

With Bitelli’s continued absence, Brazil’s diplomatic interests in Argentina are now being handled by a chargé d’affaires, a lower-ranking diplomatic representative.

The strained ties between Lula and Milei are not new. Relations between the two leaders have remained tense since Milei assumed office in December 2023, with their political differences growing sharper over regional and international issues.

Milei has maintained close ties with US President Donald Trump, whose administration has had disagreements with Lula’s government. The latest tensions come ahead of Brazil’s upcoming election, where Lula was officially declared a candidate for re-election by the Workers’ Party.

Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin also raised concerns about foreign interference in the election, defending the country’s electronic voting system and saying it “does not accept any votes from Argentines and Americans”, referring to Milei and Trump.

The latest diplomatic move highlights the deepening political divide between South America’s two largest economies and raises questions over the future of bilateral relations.