Brazil reduces diplomatic presence in Argentina after Javier Milei calls Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a thief.
Brazil's government announced on Tuesday that it is reducing its diplomatic presence in Argentina to the level of chargé d'affaires. The move follows a diplomatic spat triggered by Argentine President Javier Milei, who repeatedly called Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a "thief" and a "corrupt official." Javier Milei defended his remarks by stating that calling a thief a thief is less serious than the act of stealing itself, noting that Lula was released from prison due to an administrative error rather than innocence. Brazil recalled its ambassador, Julio Bitelli, for consultations following Milei's aggressive comments, which also targeted a Brazilian Supreme Court justice. While Argentina's presidential spokesperson, Adrian Ravier, attempted to downplay the feud as a matter of ideological differences, the relationship between the two leaders remains frosty. The administration of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also support the right-wing opponent of Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro, who is running for president in Brazil's upcoming election.