Argentinian President Javier Milei has once again criticized Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, labeling him a thief and corrupt. These remarks were made during an interview with the Argentinian newspaper La Nación on Sunday, August 2.
The Argentinian leader asserted that Lula “is not innocent” in the “Lava Jato” case, a major anti-corruption investigation in Brazil. “His convictions were overturned due to procedural violations. He is not innocent,” said Milei. Lula’s convictions were annulled in 2021 by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which determined that the cases were not under the appropriate jurisdiction and that the then-judge Sérgio Moro acted with bias.
In the interview with La Nación, Milei also defended his comments made during an event with Flávio Bolsonaro and dismissed criticism from Brazil. “It is much less serious to call a thief a thief than the act of theft itself,” he remarked, addressing the Brazilian government’s reaction.
Furthermore, he accused Lula of political interference in the affairs of Latin American countries, without providing evidence. According to the Argentinian president, “If anyone is interfering politically in the region, it is Lula, poisoning it with ideas of socialism.”
Accusations of Asymmetry and Foreign Support
Milei also expressed frustration over what he perceives as a double standard regarding insults from left-wing politicians. “He gets angry because I told the truth about Lula. But they remain silent about the insults from Lula and his ministers, from Gustavo Petro, Evo Morales, Rafael Correa, Pedro Sánchez, and their group. When they insult me — it’s all fine,” he said.
The Argentinian president further claimed, without evidence, that this coordination has the backing of foreign governments and the Argentinian opposition. He alleged that the group receives support from Mexico, the progressive wing of the USA, Spain, and the Kirchnerists — supporters of former Argentinian presidents Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
A new wave of criticism from Javier Milei followed his speech at a party convention on July 25 in São Paulo, which officially launched the campaign of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (Liberal Party, Rio de Janeiro). At that time, the Argentinian president also expressed confidence in the son of Jair Bolsonaro, who, according to him, will help to “stop the socialist garbage.”
