# Argentina-Brazil diplomatic crisis escalates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-brazil-diplomatic-row-over-milei-insults > Updated: 2026-09-01T14:28:13.000Z. Sources: 568. Developments: 11. The diplomatic crisis between Argentina and Brazil has escalated following President Javier Milei’s personal attacks on President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom he has labeled ‘corrupt’, ‘a thief’, and ‘convict’. Milei further alleged that Brazil, Mexico, and Spain are coordinating a social media campaign against Argentina, claiming the Brazilian government provides 25% of the resources for this digital offensive. While Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno noted that 22% of negative messages targeting Argentina originated from Brazil, he admitted to lacking conclusive evidence. In response to the rhetoric, Brazil has downgraded its diplomatic representation in Buenos Aires to the level of chargés d'affaires. The Argentine Ambassador, Daniel Raimondi, has departed Brasília, leaving the mission under María Cortés, while the Brazilian Ambassador, Júlio Bitelli, remains in Brazil for consultations. The Argentine Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the downgrade, arguing that bilateral ties should serve the interests of the people rather than the political needs of current presidents. Regional institutions have also intervened. The MERCOSUR Parliament (PARLASUR) approved a declaration supported by lawmakers from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, repudiating Milei’s remarks. The resolution stated that his comments contradict principles of institutional respect and democratic coexistence. Domestically, public sentiment in Argentina appears critical of the confrontation; a Zuban Córdoba y Asociados survey found 70.5% of Argentines disapprove of Milei’s attacks on Lula. Meanwhile, Argentina’s economic risk rose by approximately 20% in August as markets question the sustainability of its recovery. ## Claims - Argentina’s Governor Axel Kicillof warned that the diplomatic row could harm Brazil‑Argentina trade and investment. (disputed by 18 sources) - Argentina says the insults will not affect diplomatic or commercial relations with Brazil. (disputed by 10 sources) - Javier Milei called Supreme Court minister Alexandre de Moraes “bald trash” (“lixo careca”) during the same speech. (corroborated by 49 sources) - Javier Milei called Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a “presidiário” and “thief” during his speech at the Liberal Party convention in São Paulo on 25 July 2026. (corroborated by 48 sources) - Javier Milei called Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a thief and corrupt. (corroborated by 38 sources) - Milei said Lula was released due to a procedural error, not because he was innocent. (corroborated by 38 sources) - Brazil summoned the Argentine ambassador Daniel Raimondi and called for consultations with its ambassador Julio Bitelli. (corroborated by 37 sources) - Milei attended a Liberal Party convention in São Paulo supporting Flávio Bolsonaro. (corroborated by 32 sources) - Brazil's foreign ministry described Milei's remarks as unprecedented. (corroborated by 31 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: MERCOSUR Parliament rejects remarks by Argentine President Milei The MERCOSUR Parliament approved a declaration repudiating Argentine President Javier Milei’s comments against Brazilian leaders, reaffirming principles of non-interference and regional cooperation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mercosur-parliament-rejects-remarks-by-argentine-president-milei ### 2026-08-18: Javier Milei attacks Lula and left-wing leaders amid diplomatic rift Argentine President Javier Milei attacked Brazilian President Lula da Silva and other left-wing leaders via social media, amid rising diplomatic tensions and economic volatility in Argentina. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/javier-milei-targets-lula-da-silva-in-social-media-post-amid-diplomatic-rift ### 2026-08-13: Brazil and Argentina face ongoing diplomatic crisis Diplomatic relations between Brazil and Argentina have been downgraded following personal insults from President Javier Milei toward President Lula da Silva, leading to the departure of the Argentine ambassador 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-and-argentina-face-ongoing-diplomatic-crisis ### 2026-08-11: Argentina-Brazil relations strain as Milei alleges state-funded digital campaign President Javier Milei alleges a coordinated social media campaign against Argentina is being funded by Brazil, sparking a diplomatic crisis with President Lula da Silva despite domestic disapproval in both. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/milei-lula-diplomatic-tensions-spark-backlash-in-polls ### 2026-08-09: Argentina and Brazil face diplomatic crisis after Milei's insults Diplomatic ties between Argentina and Brazil have dropped to the level of chargé d'affaires following insults from President Javier Milei toward President Lula, impacting regional politics and elections. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/javier-milei-shares-us-lawmakers-insults-toward-president-lula ### 2026-08-09: Brazil demands end to Argentine attacks to normalize relations Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira demands that Argentina cease attacks on President Lula and Brazilian institutions to normalize bilateral relations, which are currently managed by chargés d'affaires. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-mauro-vieira-demands-end-to-argentine-aggressions ### 2026-08-06: Mendoza export sector warns Brazil diplomatic tension could hurt trade Mendoza’s FEM and ProMendoza warn that Argentina‑Brazil diplomatic tensions could harm trade, as Brazil accounts for over 30% of the province’s exports and tourism. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mendoza-export-sector-warns-brazil-diplomatic-tension-could-hurt-trade ### 2026-08-01: Milei attacks Lula, heightening Argentina‑Brazil diplomatic crisis Milei called Lula a thief and corrupt, citing a procedural release, prompting Brazil to summon ambassadors and label the remarks unprecedented; Lula called it a “patacoada”, while both sides keep relations open 72 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-milei-escalates-diplomatic-row-with-brazil-over-lula-insults ### 2026-07-30: Javier Milei’s insults to Lula trigger Brazil‑Argentina diplomatic row Milei’s insults to President Lula at a Brazilian PL convention sparked a diplomatic row: Brazil summoned its ambassador, kept Julio Bitelli in Brasília, while Argentina’s foreign minister said relations would ​ 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-president-javier-milei-draws-criticism-after-attacking-brazil-officials-at-political-rally ### 2026-07-28: Brazil‑Argentina diplomatic row escalates after Argentine President Milei insults President Lula Milei insulted Lula and a Supreme Court minister, sparking Brazil‑Argentina diplomatic tensions, ambassador recalls, and a trade slump for Brazil. 215 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ronaldo-caiado-condemns-javier-mileis-remarks-blames-lulas-diplomacy ### 2026-07-26: Argentina‑Brazil diplomatic row after Milei’s insults to Lula Milei’s insults to Lula and claims of a Brazilian‑financed anti‑Argentina campaign sparked a diplomatic row, leading Brazil to summon Argentina’s ambassador and prompting warnings over trade impacts. 370 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-recalls-ambassador-to-argentina-after-mileis-insults-to-lula-and-judge --- Cite as: Argentina-Brazil diplomatic crisis escalates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-brazil-diplomatic-row-over-milei-insults