Argentina's Milei to visit Brazil for Bolsonaro's candidacy launch amid regional right-wing surge

Argentine President Javier Milei is set to visit Brazil on July 25 to attend the launch of Flávio Bolsonaro's presidential candidacy. Milei confirmed the meeting, which will take place in São Paulo, following a visit from Bolsonaro to Argentina in late June. The Argentine leader also plans a stop in Brasília to greet former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. Milei's visit comes at a time of shifting political tides in South America, with a series of right-wing electoral victories being referred to as the "blue wave." This trend is seen as a counter-movement to the "pink tide" of left-wing leaders that dominated the region in the early 2000s. Milei himself has been a prominent figure in this shift, championing ultraliberal policies. Milei's relationship with Brazil's current president, Lula da Silva, is reportedly delicate due to Milei's past criticisms of the leftist leader. The two have not met since the Mercosur summit in Paraguay, where Milei unexpectedly withdrew from the meeting. Any potential visit to Jair Bolsonaro would require approval from Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, as the former president is restricted in receiving visitors while under house arrest. Flávio Bolsonaro has actively promoted the "blue wave" narrative, stating during a recent event in Buenos Aires that while neighboring countries are choosing "freedom and order," Brazil remains "stuck in the past." He expressed confidence that this would change in the upcoming October elections. Milei intends to visit other countries that have elected conservative leaders, including Peru and Colombia, to attend the inaugurations of their new leaders.

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The blue wave is coming to Brazil through Flávio Bolsonaro.