Argentina’s President Calls Brazilian Leader a ‘Thief’ and ‘Convict’; Brazil Recalls Ambassador
Brazil has recalled its ambassador to Argentina after President Javier Milei insulted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, calling him a 'thief' and a 'convict' at a rally in São Paulo.
Brazil recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires on Sunday after Argentina’s President Javier Milei attacked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, referring to him as a “thief” and a “convict.”
Milei made the remarks at a rally in São Paulo launching the presidential campaign of right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Flávio is set to run in October’s election. Without naming Lula directly, Milei spoke derogatorily of the Brazilian leader, adding that Flávio was the only one who could “stop Lula.”
Brazilian diplomats later said Milei had insulted Brazil’s government, its people, and its democracy. Lula responded Sunday, saying 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, reportedly returned home between Sunday and Monday, according to AFP. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced last year to over 27 years in prison for plotting a coup to stay in power after losing the last election to Lula.
Milei also insulted Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction, calling him “bald trash.” Moraes had previously denied Milei permission to visit the former president while he was under house arrest in Brasília.
In 2018, Lula was sentenced to 12 years in prison over a massive corruption and bribery scandal, but served just over 18 months. His convictions were annulled by the Supreme Court in 2021, and the following year he narrowly defeated far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential election, winning 50.9% of the vote.
