Brazil recalled Ambassador Júlio Bitelli after Argentine President Javier Milei insulted President Lula and Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes during a visit to São Paulo. Top Brazilian and Argentine officials, including Supreme Court President Edson Fachin and Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, publicly condemned Milei’s remarks. The move heightens diplomatic tensions amid visa denials to two U.S. State Department officials and ahead of an electoral contest between Lula and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro.
Brazil Recalls Ambassador After Argentine President Milei Insults Brazilian Officials in São Paulo
Brazilian Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, right, handles an oversized pair of scissors, accompanied by Argentina's President Javier Milei during the Liberal Party convention where Bolsonaro was confirmed as the party's presidential candidate, in Sao Paulo, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)(AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that it has recalled Ambassador Júlio Bitelli from Buenos Aires for consultations after Argentine President Javier Milei made inflammatory remarks about Brazilian officials during a visit to São Paulo.
What Happened
At a political event in São Paulo on Saturday—where Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro was formally confirmed as his father's party's presidential candidate—Milei called President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a "thief" and a "delinquent." He also referred to Supreme Federal Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes as "trash" after Moraes denied Milei's request to visit jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence related to an attempted coup.
Official Reactions
Supreme Federal Court President Edson Fachin condemned the remarks as a "disrespectful reference to a magistrate of the highest court in the country, made on Brazilian soil." A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Ambassador Júlio Bitelli was recalled to Brasilia for consultations in response to Milei's comments.
Brazilian Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro holds a Brazil national flag as Argentina's President Javier Milei holds an Argentina local selection jersey, during the Liberal Party convention where Bolsonaro was confirmed as the party's presidential candidate, in Sao Paulo, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)(AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)
"Milei went to Brazil shouting like a madman, demanding to see a coup plotter in jail," former Argentine President Alberto Fernández wrote on X, calling the insults "unforgivable."
Axel Kicillof, governor of Buenos Aires province and a possible contender in next year’s general election, told his followers on X that he had contacted Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to stress that "Milei does not represent the feelings of the Argentine people." Kicillof warned the insults could jeopardize investments, exports and jobs because Brazil is Argentina's main trading partner.
Wider Context
The incident adds to diplomatic tensions between the two countries and follows Brazil's recent denial of visas to two U.S. State Department officials who planned to visit next week; the Foreign Ministry did not explain that decision. President Lula, who is campaigning for re-election against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, has not directly responded to Milei's remarks but in an opinion piece for The Washington Post reiterated that "Brazil's destiny is determined only by Brazilians, without external interference, without subservience."
The recall of Ambassador Bitelli signals a formal diplomatic protest and raises concerns about strains in bilateral relations at a sensitive political moment ahead of major elections in both countries.
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