Brazil recalls ambassador after Milei calls Lula a 'thief' and judge 'bald trash' at Bolsonaro rally
Argentina's president called Lula a 'thief' and a Supreme Court judge 'bald trash' at a São Paulo event for Flávio Bolsonaro's presidential bid, prompting Brazil to recall its ambassador and summon Argentina's envoy.
The rally in São Paulo
On Saturday 25 July, Argentine President Javier Milei travelled to São Paulo to attend a congress of Brazil's Liberal Party, where Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, was formally nominated as the party's candidate for the October 2026 presidential election. Addressing the crowd, Milei launched a series of attacks on Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva without once uttering his name. He called Lula a "thief" and a "convict" (some outlets reported the terms "liar" and "prisoner"), warned of the "Lula danger", and urged Brazilians to free themselves from the "slavery of the left". Milei then turned on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, whom he labelled "bald trash", and accused the judge of blocking him from visiting his "unjustly imprisoned friend" Jair Bolsonaro. The former president, who governed from 2019 to 2022, was convicted for an attempted coup in 2022 and is serving his sentence under house arrest in Brasília. The appearance was widely seen as an intervention in Brazil's domestic politics ahead of the October vote.
Brazil's diplomatic response
Brazil's foreign ministry reacted on Sunday by recalling its ambassador to Buenos Aires, Julio Bitelli, for consultations. The ministry described Milei's remarks as "highly offensive". A Brazilian diplomatic source told AFP that the decision was taken because Milei had "offended two powers, the people and the democracy of Brazil". Ambassador Bitelli was expected back in Brasília by Monday 27 July. In parallel, the Brazilian government summoned Argentina's ambassador in Brasília to receive a formal protest note.
He offended two powers, the people and the democracy of Brazil.
Lula's reaction
President Lula addressed the row indirectly during a trade union event on Sunday. Without mentioning Milei by name, he said: "In Brazil we do not tolerate anyone sprouting where they are not sown." He stressed that he would continue to govern unaffected by "anyone's interference", adding that his government would not be swayed by outside pressure.
Milei's counter-accusations
Hours after the diplomatic fallout, Milei gave an interview to Radio Mitre in which he accused the Brazilian government, Mexico, and the US Democratic Party of financing a "campaign against Argentina". He appeared to be referencing the criticism Argentina and its national football team faced during the World Cup, reportedly centred on the conduct of Argentine players and fans. Milei claimed that 25% of the resources for this alleged campaign came from the Brazilian government.
Who put the most money into this campaign against Argentina? The Brazilian government. 25% of the resources came from the Brazilian government.
He added that the campaign was also bankrolled by Mexico and the US Democratic Party, and suggested that Brazil's complaints about foreign interference in its elections were hypocritical.
Additionally, this campaign was funded by Mexico, by the US Democratic Party.
- Milei speaks at Liberal Party congress in São Paulo, calls Lula a 'thief' and de Moraes 'bald trash'.
- Brazil recalls Ambassador Julio Bitelli and summons Argentine ambassador for protest.
- Lula says Brazil does not tolerate anyone 'sprouting where they are not sown'.
- Milei tells Radio Mitre that Brazil, Mexico, and US Democrats funded a campaign against Argentina, with 25% from Brazil.
