No chance of breaking ties with Brazil, says Argentina's foreign minister after crisis

Argentina's Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno has asserted that diplomatic relations with Brazil remain intact, despite a recent diplomatic spat sparked by President Javier Milei's harsh criticisms of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

"From our side, there is no chance of breaking relations. We are not taking this to the institutional level," Quirno stated in a radio interview. He was responding to comments made by Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who had described the incident as regrettable. Milei had previously labeled Lula a "thief" and a "prisoner" during an event in São Paulo, prompting Brazil to summon Argentina's ambassador for explanations.

Quirno sought to distance Argentina's official stance from Milei's personal attacks. "This is what we do not do. We do not take [this crisis] to the institutional level. We leave the electoral dispute, the political difference, the ideological difference within that framework," he explained. He added, "We have the highest esteem for the Brazilian ambassador in Argentina, Julio Bitelli. We hope that, after these consultations, he will return to the country as soon as possible to continue developing the extensive bilateral agenda we have."

Argentine presidential spokesperson Adrian Ravier echoed Quirno's sentiment, stating that while insults may have been exchanged, Argentina does not typically translate political or ideological differences into diplomatic actions. Despite Brazil's strong reaction, including recalling its ambassador, there are no indications that Lula's government plans to sever ties. However, Brazilian officials are reportedly assessing the future of the relationship before deciding on the ambassador's return. The incident has also led to heated rhetoric from other Brazilian ministers, who have called Milei a "clown" and a "pathetic caricature."

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Isso é o que nós não fazemos. Não levamos [essa crise] ao nível institucional. Deixamos a disputa eleitoral, a diferença política, a diferença ideológica nesse marco.