Brazil has deepened diplomatic disputes with two of its most important partners on the American continent over attempts it views as interference by the conservative governments of the United States and Argentina in its October presidential elections.
On Tuesday, the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused the administration of Donald Trump of improper interference in Brazil’s affairs. This accusation came after a statement by a high-ranking State Department official that the United States is revoking the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington. Lula’s government stated that “this decision is not an isolated incident” but is “part of a deliberate escalation of hostile measures against Brazil, driven by ideological reasons that contradict the bilateral partnership, which has always been based on mutual respect”.
Escalation of tensions with Argentina
Brazil has also worsened relations with Argentina, deciding not to return its ambassador to Buenos Aires for an indefinite period. This decision was in response to repeated attacks by President Javier Milei on Lula, according to an official familiar with the situation. This decision was first reported by the Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
The long-standing feud between Lula and Milei — one of Trump‘s closest allies in Latin America — intensified after the libertarian leader called him a “thief” during an event marking the start of the election campaign in support of Flavio Bolsonaro in São Paulo. Milei also accused Lula of interfering in Argentina’s 2023 elections, citing that Brazilian election advisors worked for his opponent. Brazil initially recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires for consultations and also summoned the ambassador of Argentina to Brasília for explanations. The recall of the ambassador is considered a sharp diplomatic rebuke and was an unprecedented step between Brazil and Argentina, neighboring countries whose relations have experienced sharp political differences.
These dual disputes are unfolding against the backdrop of a fierce electoral battle between 80-year-old Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro. The right-wing senator sought support from Trump and Milei, two leaders who hope that the recent wave of conservative sentiment in Latin America will help defeat Lula in the Brazil elections.
“This is a unilateral decision by Brazil, which we regret”, said Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno to journalists in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, accusing Lula’s government of escalating the dispute.
Source: Bloomberg
