Milei attacks Brazil's president, calling him a 'thief' and 'criminal' – diplomatic crisis erupts

Argentine President Javier Milei traveled to Brazil to support right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, attacked President Lula da Silva, calling him a 'thief' and 'criminal', and called a Supreme Court judge 'garbage'. Brazil recalled its ambassador from Argentina in protest. Milei's opponents in Argentina condemned the remarks.

Argentine President Javier Milei sparked a severe diplomatic crisis with Brazil over the weekend when, during a visit to São Paulo, he attacked Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, calling him a 'thief' and 'criminal'. Milei spoke at a campaign rally for Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the official candidate of the right-wing Liberal Party for the presidency in October, replacing his father Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving 27 years of house arrest for an attempted coup. Milei also attacked Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who refused to allow him to meet with Bolsonaro Sr., calling him 'garbage'. In response, Brazil recalled its ambassador from Argentina. The president of the Brazilian Supreme Court condemned the disrespectful remarks. Lula himself did not respond directly but published an article in the Washington Post against Trump's tariffs. In Argentina, Milei's opponents – former President Alberto Fernández and Governor Axel Kicillof – strongly condemned the statements, with Kicillof arguing that Milei endangers trade relations with Brazil. Milei is known for his blunt style; this is not his first diplomatic crisis – in 2024 he insulted the wife of Spain's prime minister, leading to the recall of the Spanish ambassador.