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Brazil has told Argentina that its diplomatic relations will be handled at the chargé d'affaires level after Argentine President Javier Milei again insulted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, according to a Brazilian government source. The move formalizes a sharp deterioration in ties between two of Latin America's largest economies, whose presidents have not held an official bilateral meeting since Milei took office.

Coverage comparison

The Buenos Aires Times and the Jerusalem Post both reported on the escalating crisis, which began when Milei insulted Lula and Brazil's Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandre de Moraes during an appearance in São Paulo. The Buenos Aires Times framed the incident as a "crisis with Brazil," emphasizing Milei's aggressive comments, while the Jerusalem Post focused on the formal downgrade of diplomatic ties. Both outlets noted that Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitteli, for consultations, and that Argentine Ambassador to Brasilia Daniel Raimondi was summoned to the Itamaraty Foreign Ministry.

Key claims

  • President Javier Milei insulted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandre de Moraes, as reported by both the Buenos Aires Times and the Jerusalem Post. In São Paulo, Milei called Lula a "thief" and De Moraes "bald rubbish," comparing the "Lula risk" with the "Kuka (Kirchnerite) risk" in Argentina, according to the Buenos Aires Times.
  • Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitteli, for consultations, according to both sources. The Jerusalem Post, citing a Brazilian government source, reported that Bitteli will not return to Buenos Aires after Milei referred to Lula in an interview with Argentine TV channel LN+ as an "ex-convict," a "thief" and "corrupt."
  • Argentine Ambassador to Brasilia Daniel Raimondi was summoned to the Itamaraty Foreign Ministry, as reported by both outlets. The Jerusalem Post added that Raimondi was informed of the decision to downgrade diplomatic ties, and that Argentina's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
  • Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno ruled out breaking off diplomatic relations with Brazil, according to the Buenos Aires Times. Instead of backing down, Milei escalated the aggression in an interview the following day by alleging that the Lula da Silva government had financed 25 percent of the anti-Argentina campaign accompanying the World Cup, the Buenos Aires Times reported.
  • Brazil has told Argentina its relations will be handled at the chargé d'affaires level, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing a Brazilian government source. This move formalizes a sharp deterioration in ties between the two countries, whose presidents have not held an official bilateral meeting since Milei took office, the Jerusalem Post noted.
  • The Jerusalem Post also noted that Bitteli had already been recalled from Buenos Aires late last month after Milei criticized Lula while appearing alongside opposition presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro at the formal launch of his campaign. The Buenos Aires Times reported that Milei made the insults during the São Paulo launch of the Liberal Party presidential candidacy of Flavio Bolsonaro for the October 4 elections.

Perspectives

  • Brazilian government: A Brazilian government source, cited by the Jerusalem Post, confirmed the downgrade of diplomatic ties to the chargé d'affaires level and stated that the ambassador will not return to Buenos Aires.
  • Argentine government: Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno has ruled out breaking off diplomatic relations with Brazil, as reported by the Buenos Aires Times. President Milei has escalated his criticism, allegedly claiming that the Lula da Silva government financed part of an anti-Argentina campaign during the World Cup.