Wednesday, August 5th 2026 - 08:38 UTC
The crisis began on Saturday, July 25, when Milei addressed the Liberal Party convention in São Paulo in support of Flávio Bolsonaro's candidacy. There he called Lula a thief
Brazil decided on Tuesday to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Argentina to the level of chargé d'affaires and to postpone indefinitely the return of its ambassador in Buenos Aires, Julio Glinternick Bitelli, following a fresh round of remarks by Argentine President Javier Milei against his counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
It is the first time in decades that Brasília has taken a step of this scope with Argentina. The embassy will continue operating, but without a career diplomat at its head. It does not amount to a rupture of relations.
Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira summoned Argentina's ambassador, Daniel Raimondi, and handed him a note of protest setting out the decision. According to La Nación, Itamaraty also requested his return to Argentina. There is no record of his being declared persona non grata or formally expelled, and Argentina's foreign ministry has not said whether he will remain in Brasília.
