The Argentine Foreign Ministry responded firmly to the decision of the regime of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to downgrade the level of bilateral diplomatic relations and request the return of the Argentine ambassador stationed in Brasilia, Daniel Raimondi.
According to an official report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomat was summoned in the afternoon by Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, who informed him that the representation between both countries will be limited to the level of chargé d'affaires.
The statement issued by the Argentine Foreign Ministry
The measure implies a reduction in the political rank of the respective embassies and deepens the tension driven by Brazil after President Javier Milei reaffirmed his criticisms against Lula and recalled his convictions for corruption and money laundering, which were later annulled for procedural and judicial competence reasons.
In response to the decision made by Brasilia, the Argentine Government avoided responding with an equivalent measure and questioned the use of foreign relations as a tool to resolve personal disputes between leaders.
“The Argentine Republic takes note of the decision unilaterally adopted by the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil, and regrets its decision to continue isolating itself from the rest of the region for purely ideological reasons,” stated the official communiqué.
The Foreign Ministry recalled that over the past few years there have been numerous exchanges, statements, and political support among Argentine and Brazilian leaders. However, it emphasized that Argentina never decided to turn those differences into a diplomatic incident nor responded with institutional sanctions.
“We have never responded to a political difference with an institutional measure. That is the criterion that Argentina upholds today,” highlighted the San Martín Palace.
The Argentine position contrasts with the reaction of Lula's regime, which decided to reduce the bilateral relationship after Milei again labeled him as a thief, corrupt, and a former prisoner. The Argentine President maintained that his statements are based on public facts and recalled that Lula regained his freedom without a judicial declaration of innocence.
Lula's regime recalled its ambassador to Argentina after Milei reminded him of his corruption convictions
The Government also rejected that the permanent interests of both countries be conditioned by the political or personal needs of the current leaders. Argentina and Brazil maintain a strategic economic relationship and are the main trading partners within Mercosur, so any diplomatic escalation could affect interests that far exceed their current governments.
“Argentine foreign policy will continue to be guided exclusively by the defense of national interest, sovereignty, and the mandate conferred by the Argentine people,” concluded the communiqué. In this way, Milei's administration made it clear that it will not support the escalation initiated by Lula, but will also not modify its positioning to satisfy the political demands of the Brazilian regime.
