Ex-President Fernández slams Milei's insults to Lula as 'unforgivable'

Former Argentine President Alberto Fernández has sharply criticized President Javier Milei for his recent insults directed at Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, stating that such attacks are "unforgivable."

Fernández took to social media platform X to express his condemnation, emphasizing that insulting the leader of a "brotherly country and main trade partner" carries severe consequences. His remarks came after Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled its ambassador from Buenos Aires following Milei's inflammatory comments during a campaign event for Flávio Bolsonaro. The governor of Buenos Aires province, Axel Kicillof, also denounced Milei's statements as a "source of secondhand embarrassment" and communicated with Brazil's Foreign Minister to convey that Milei does not represent the Argentine people's sentiments.

Both Fernández and Kicillof highlighted the economic risks associated with Milei's provocations. Kicillof warned that these actions could jeopardize investments, exports, and thousands of jobs, underscoring Argentina's deep trade ties with Brazil. The Peronist party, a major opposition force, also issued a statement rejecting Milei's words and urging the government to return to a path of respect, dialogue, and integration, labeling the incident as "the darkest page in foreign policy and bilateral relations with our brotherly people."

During a Liberal Party convention, Milei had previously accused Lula da Silva of being a "thief" and of promoting socialism in Latin America, while also criticizing Brazil's fiscal situation. He further attacked a Brazilian magistrate involved in the legal process against former President Jair Bolsonaro. In a separate interview, Milei accused the Brazilian government of financing a social media campaign against Argentina during the World Cup, with alleged support from Mexico and the U.S. Democratic Party.