Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, on Sunday following verbal attacks by Argentine President Javier Milei against the Brazilian government and a Supreme Court magistrate during a political event in São Paulo, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sources cited by EFE.
Diplomatic Recall Following São Paulo Convention
The Brazilian foreign ministry ordered Ambassador Julio Bitelli to return to Brasilia for consultations, with the diplomat scheduled to arrive between Sunday night and Monday morning, sources confirmed to EFE. The decision followed remarks made by Argentine President Javier Milei during a convention for the Liberal Party (PL), where Milei appeared alongside Flávio Bolsonaro to support his candidacy in the upcoming October presidential elections.
Insults Directed at Lula and Supreme Court Justice
During the São Paulo event, President Javier Milei criticized Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, accusing him of being a “thief” and of disseminating socialism across Latin America while leading Brazil toward a fiscal crisis. Milei also directed a personal insult at Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, calling him “bald garbage,” according to EFE’s reporting. Justice De Moraes is the instructor of the legal process that led to the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) to a 27-year prison sentence for coup-plotting.
Milei publicly objected to a ruling by Justice De Moraes that denied the Argentine president permission to visit Flávio Bolsonaro, who currently serves a house arrest sentence in Brasilia. “The Brazilian justice system did not permit me to visit my friend unjustly imprisoned, when Lula tired of receiving foreign dirigentes while he was imprisoned,” Milei stated during his address, adding that the denial demonstrated the injustice and vengeful character of those responsible for the detention.
Institutional Pushback and Electoral Context
The remarks drew swift condemnation from Brazilian authorities. Supreme Court President Luiz Edson Fachin deplored the insults directed at Justice De Moraes on Saturday and reaffirmed the independence of Brazil’s judiciary. Edinho Silva, president of the ruling Workers’ Party (PT), similarly rejected the statements, accusing Milei of disrespecting Brazilian institutions and the country’s head of state.
Milei traveled to Brazil to support Flávio Bolsonaro as the candidate trails in public opinion polls. According to recent data from Datafolha cited by EFE, incumbent President Lula maintains a five-point lead in potential second-round voting scenarios for the October 4 elections.
Did you know?
Ambassador Julio Bitelli is returning to Brasilia for consultations under a formal diplomatic mechanism used by governments to signal serious discontent with another nation’s actions or statements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Brazil recall its ambassador to Argentina?
Brazil recalled Ambassador Julio Bitelli following verbal attacks by Argentine President Javier Milei against Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes during a political event in São Paulo.
Who did Javier Milei support in Brazil?
Javier Milei traveled to São Paulo to support Flávio Bolsonaro’s candidacy in the upcoming October presidential elections during a convention held by the Liberal Party (PL).
What was the reaction of Brazilian judicial authorities?
Supreme Court President Luiz Edson Fachin publicly deplored the insults directed at Justice Alexandre de Moraes and reaffirmed the independence of the Brazilian judiciary.
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