Argentine President Javier Milei renewed his criticism of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday, intensifying a diplomatic dispute between the neighbouring countries after describing Lula as a criminal last week.
During an interview with LN+, Milei repeated allegations against Lula, saying the Brazilian leader had been convicted of theft and corruption and imprisoned.
‘He’s a thief, he’s corrupt, he’s been convicted of theft and corruption, he’s been in prison, so it’s true that we can call him a convict,’ Milei said.
The libertarian president had made similar remarks during a speech in Brazil last weekend while expressing support for Flavio Bolsonaro, Lula’s right-wing rival in the upcoming presidential election.
Diplomatic dispute escalates
Milei’s comments prompted Brazil to recall its ambassador to Argentina for consultations. His speech had also criticised a justice of Brazil’s Supreme Court.
Argentina later sought to ease tensions with its largest trading partner.
Presidential spokesperson Adrian Ravier described the dispute as one stemming from ‘ideological and political differences’.
However, Milei defended his remarks during Sunday’s interview.
‘Don’t you think it’s aggressive when someone steals from you? Calling a thief a “thief” is far less serious than the act of stealing itself,’ he said.
Milei stands by his remarks
Milei insisted that Lula’s release from prison did not amount to an acquittal.
‘They released him because of an administrative error, not because he’s innocent. Therefore, he’s a thief and a corrupt official,’ he said.
He added that his position reflected his commitment to what he described as the ideals of freedom.
Lula, who previously served as Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010, spent 580 days in prison after being convicted in the Operation Car Wash anti-corruption investigation.
He was later released after the conviction was overturned on procedural grounds, while the judge who presided over the case was subsequently ruled to have been biased.
