Brazil recalls ambassador to Argentina after Milei insults Lula and Brazilian judiciary

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Brazil recalls ambassador to Argentina after Milei insults Lula and Brazilian judiciary
Brazil recalls ambassador to Argentina after Milei calls Lula a "thief" at Bolsonaro rally
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Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina and summoned Argentina's ambassador to Brazil on Sunday following offensive remarks by Argentine President Javier Milei about Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian judiciary.
Milei, speaking at a political event in São Paulo on Saturday, called Lula a "thief" and a "prisoner," and also insulted a Brazilian Supreme Court justice. The event was the nomination convention for Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is running for president in October's election.
Brazil's foreign ministry recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, for consultations and summoned Argentina's ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Raimondi, to express its "repulsion" at Milei's remarks and demand an explanation.
Milei's remarks were made during the Liberal Party convention in São Paulo, where he appeared alongside Flávio Bolsonaro. Milei also criticized the Brazilian judiciary, calling Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes a "bald piece of trash."
Lula, who is seeking re-election in October, has not directly responded to Milei's remarks but stated at a union rally on Sunday that Brazil does not accept interference from anyone. "In Brazil, we do not accept anyone sticking their nose where it doesn't belong," Lula said.
Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest after being sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup following his 2022 election defeat.
Brazil's foreign ministry described Milei's remarks as an "infamous episode" with no precedent, in which a foreign head of state had "accumulated aggressions and offences" against the country's president and other institutions on Brazilian soil.
The diplomatic crisis is considered the most serious between the two South American neighbors in decades. Brazil is Argentina's most important trading partner, and the rift comes at a sensitive time as Lula seeks re-election.
Milei showed no signs of backing down from his remarks. In an interview with Argentine radio station Radio Mitre on Sunday, he accused the Brazilian government of financing an "anti-Argentine campaign."
The crisis has drawn attention to the upcoming presidential election in Brazil, where Lula is facing a challenge from Flávio Bolsonaro. Lula, a veteran left-wing politician, is currently leading in the polls, but the race is expected to be closely contested.
Brazil's foreign ministry has not indicated how long the ambassador will be recalled for consultations, but the move signals a significant escalation in the diplomatic dispute.
The recall of the ambassador and the summoning of Argentina's ambassador to Brazil are seen as strong diplomatic measures, reflecting the gravity with which Brazil views Milei's remarks.
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