Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina on Sunday, July 27th, 2026, following insults directed at Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva by Argentinian President Javier Milei during a visit to Brazil.

Milei attended a political event in Sao Paulo supporting far-right presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. In his speech, Milei called Brazil's leftist incumbent president a "convict," a "delinquent," and a "thief," though he did not name Lula explicitly. He also insulted Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, referring to him as "bald trash," again without naming him directly.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry condemned the remarks, stating, "There is no precedent for a foreign president, on national territory, to hurl insults and offenses at the head of state, democratic institutions, including the judiciary, and the Brazilian people."

Brazil has summoned Argentina's ambassador to discuss the insults, according to a Brazilian diplomatic source cited by AFP.

The president of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, Minister Edson Fachin, described Milei's comments as a "disrespectful reference to a magistrate of the highest court in the country, made on Brazilian soil."

In Argentina, Axel Kicillof, governor of Buenos Aires province and a potential candidate in next year's general elections, announced on social media that he contacted Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to convey that "Milei does not represent the feelings of the Argentine people." Kicillof expressed profound shame over Milei's offensive remarks against the Brazilian government, its president, and the country.

Former Argentine president Alberto Fernandez also posted a video on X exposing Milei's insults.

The diplomatic fallout underscores the strained relations between the two South American neighbors amid upcoming elections and political realignments.

Sources