ByREUTERS
Updated:

Brazil has told Argentina its relations will be handled at the chargé d'affaires level after Argentine President Javier Milei again insulted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a Brazilian government source said on Tuesday.

Brazil's ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, will not return to Buenos Aires, the source said, after Milei referred to Lula in an interview with Argentine TV channel LN+ as an "ex-convict," a "thief" and "corrupt."

The move formalizes a sharp deterioration in ties between two of Latin America's largest economies, whose presidents have not held an official bilateral meeting since Milei took office.

Bitelli recalled after previous criticism

Bitelli had already been recalled from Buenos Aires late last month after Milei criticized Lula while appearing alongside opposition presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro at the formal launch of his campaign to unseat the incumbent, who has been leading polls ahead of October's election.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a ceremony to sign into law a bill establishing a line of credit for companies affected by new tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, July 22, 2026.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a ceremony to sign into law a bill establishing a line of credit for companies affected by new tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, July 22, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/ADRIANO MACHADO/FILE PHOTO)

Argentina's ambassador in Brasilia, Daniel Raimondi, was informed of the decision to downgrade diplomatic ties, the source said. Argentina's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Later on Wednesday, Argentinian Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said during a press conference that Argentina will not take diplomatic action in response to Brazil downgrading diplomatic ties.