Buenos Aires Governor: Milei's criticisms of Lula 'degraded diplomatic link'

Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof has voiced strong criticism regarding Argentine President Javier Milei's recent remarks about Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Kicillof described the comments as a "degradation of the diplomatic link" between the two nations, deeming the situation grave.

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I want to be very respectful, because I am abroad. With some prudence, I want to say that it was not good for Argentina that the president of our country went to Brazil and had the appreciations and words he had with the president of the neighboring and sister Federative Republic of Brazil.

Speaking to reporters while abroad, Kicillof expressed his reservations, stating, "I want to be very respectful, because I am abroad. With some prudence, I want to say that it was not good for Argentina that the president of our country went to Brazil and had the appreciations and words he had with the president of the neighboring and sister Federative Republic of Brazil." He added that this created "a situation of great fragility" and a "degradation in the diplomatic link."

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This created 'a situation of great fragility' and a 'degradation in the diplomatic link.'

Kicillof emphasized the importance of the relationship from his provincial perspective, noting, "I say this as the Governor of the Province. Our province has commercial ties with Brazil, has Brazilian companies in its territory and Buenos Aires companies that operate in Brazilian territory." He highlighted that the Province of Buenos Aires is a key player in the commercial exchange between Argentina and Brazil.

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Our province has commercial ties with Brazil, has Brazilian companies in its territory and Buenos Aires companies that operate in Brazilian territory.

This criticism follows Milei's repeated labeling of Lula da Silva as a "thief" and "corrupt." These statements, made during an interview and previously at a political convention in Brazil, triggered a significant diplomatic crisis. Brazil recalled its ambassador from Buenos Aires and summoned the Argentine ambassador in Brasilia. Milei has defended his remarks, asserting he spoke the truth and that calling a thief a thief is less severe than the act of theft itself. The diplomatic tension escalated further with Brazil's communication of the expulsion of the Argentine ambassador from Brasilia.

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It is much milder to call a thief a thief than the act of stealing itself.