Brazil has downgraded its diplomatic representation in Argentina after Argentine President Javier Milei repeatedly insulted President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, including calling him "a thief" multiple times. Ambassador Julio Bitelli was recalled in July and will not return while such remarks continue; a chargé d'affaires now handles Brazil's affairs in Buenos Aires. The spat has intersected with U.S. visa retaliations and comes as Lula was formally named his party's candidate for re-election, amid concerns about foreign interference.
Brazil Downgrades Diplomatic Presence in Argentina After Milei Calls Lula 'A Thief'
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visits the Andarai Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Brazil announced Tuesday that it is downgrading its diplomatic representation in Argentina after a fresh round of verbal attacks by Argentine President Javier Milei against Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
A spokesperson for Brazil's foreign ministry told The Associated Press that Milei has called Lula "a thief" on three occasions since Sunday. Milei used similar language on July 25 while speaking at the political convention of Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former Brazilian president and a likely rival to Lula in October's election.
Diplomatic Steps Taken
In early July, Brazil recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires, Julio Bitelli, a day after Milei's first public remarks about Lula. Since Bitelli's recall, Brazil's interests in Argentina have been represented by a chargé d'affaires, a lower-ranking diplomatic official. The foreign ministry said Bitelli will not return while Milei continues to make aggressive public comments about Lula.
Escalating Political Tensions
At the same convention where he attacked Lula, Milei also labeled Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes "trash." De Moraes later denied Milei's request to visit former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest related to an alleged coup attempt. The exchanges illustrate how personal attacks between leaders are spilling over into formal diplomatic actions.
Milei is a known ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. Relations between Brasília and Washington have frayed recently: the U.S. State Department revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington on Tuesday in retaliation for Brazil's refusal last month to grant visas to two American diplomats traveling ahead of upcoming elections.
Domestic Context
On Sunday, Lula was formally named the Workers' Party candidate for re-election at the party convention, where delegates expressed concern about possible foreign interference in Brazil's vote. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, a conservative who will again be Lula's running mate, defended Brazil's electronic voting system at the convention, saying it was so secure that "it doesn't accept any votes from Argentines and Americans," an apparent reference to Milei and Trump.
Why it matters: The diplomatic downgrade marks a new low in relations between two South American neighbors and underscores rising regional tensions driven by personality-driven politics and shifting international alliances.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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