From Pedro Sánchez to Lula: Milei's insults to his fellow presidents

Argentine President Javier Milei's recent attacks on his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, add to a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric directed at foreign leaders. During a visit to Brazil to support Flávio Bolsonaro's candidacy, Milei labeled Lula da Silva a "thief" and used other derogatory terms, prompting Brazil to recall its ambassador from Buenos Aires for consultations.

This is not the first time Milei has targeted Lula da Silva. Even before taking office in May 2023, Milei described the Brazilian president as a "savage leftist supporting dictators, people who violate human rights, and autocrats with blood-stained hands."

Lula da Silva is not the only leader to face Milei's verbal assaults. The Argentine president has also used harsh language against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, calling him a "terrorist assassin," "communist killer," and "lethal plague." Additionally, Milei referred to former Chilean President Gabriel Boric as an "empoverisher" during a 2023 presidential campaign event.

Perhaps the most significant diplomatic fallout involved Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. In May 2024, Milei called Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, "corrupt" during a far-right Vox party event in Madrid. Milei further escalated the situation by calling Sánchez "fatally arrogant socialist," "sinister character," "coward," "ridiculous," and "laughingstock of the world." This led to an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, with Spain recalling its ambassador from Argentina. Six months passed before a new Spanish ambassador was appointed, and Milei has since avoided meeting with members of Sánchez's government during his visits to Spain, opting instead to meet with politicians from the conservative Vox and Popular Party.

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