Argentina Regrets Brazil's Downgrade of Diplomatic Relations

Argentina on Tuesday expressed regret over Brazil’s decision to downgrade bilateral diplomatic relations to chargé d’affaires level amid rising tensions between the two countries.

Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship said in a statement that the Argentine ambassador to Brazil had been summoned by Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, who conveyed the decision and asked the ambassador to return to Argentina.

“Argentina notes the unilateral decision taken by the Brazilian Government and regrets its decision to continue isolating itself from other countries in the region solely for ideological reasons,” the ministry said.

The ministry said that in recent years Argentina had chosen not to turn differences in political views between the leaders of the two countries into diplomatic incidents.

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the country would maintain its embassy in Buenos Aires under the leadership of a chargé d’affaires, as Argentine President Javier Milei continues to attack Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The decision means Brazil’s Ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, will temporarily not return to Buenos Aires after being recalled for consultations last week.

The decision was taken following Milei’s latest remarks attacking Lula again in an interview with Argentine newspaper La Nacion.

The latest move further deepens the diplomatic crisis that began in late July, when Milei attended a political event in Sao Paulo and criticised Lula, Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court, and several other Brazilian institutions.

Brazil has not announced a severance of relations with Argentina nor the closure of its embassy. However, the downgrade of diplomatic relations is one of the strongest diplomatic responses Brazil has taken against Milei’s administration so far.