Brazil downgrades diplomatic relations with Argentina

Brazil has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Argentina to the chargé d’affaires level, Brazilian media reported on Tuesday, citing sources from the Foreign Ministry. The decision follows statements made by Argentine President Javier Milei against Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other Brazilian officials in recent weeks. On 25 July, at a political event in the Brazilian city of São Paulo to support the presidential candidacy of Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, Milei harshly criticised President Lula and protested against Alexandre de Moraes, a judge of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court, for preventing him from visiting the imprisoned former President Bolsonaro. A day later, Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina, Julio Bitelli, in protest. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said that Brasilia views the matter as serious, although he ruled out harsher measures for the time being, such as a complete severance of diplomatic relations, according to media reports.