Argentina won't apologize to Brazil's Lula after Milei's insults, ambassador returns home

Argentina's President Javier Milei has escalated tensions with neighboring Brazil by directly insulting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a move that has prompted the Brazilian ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, to return to Brasilia. While the bilateral relationship was already strained, Milei's public labeling of Lula as a "thief" and "convict" during the launch of a rival presidential candidate's campaign has created a diplomatic crisis.

The Argentine government, despite acknowledging the need to manage the immediate fallout, has stated it will not issue an official apology. This stance reflects Milei's persistent animosity towards the veteran Brazilian leader and his alignment with the Bolsonaro family. The situation is further complicated by Milei's claims of an "anti-Argentine campaign" coinciding with the national soccer team's World Cup matches.

Sources suggest that while the Argentine ambassador in Brazil, Daniel Raimondi, will face questioning at the Itamaraty, a full diplomatic rupture is unlikely due to pragmatic reasons. With Brazilian elections imminent, neither side may benefit from further escalation. The incident also draws parallels with other diplomatic disputes involving Milei's administration and left-leaning governments, often with negative outcomes.

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Pedido de disculpas no va a haber