Brazil summons Argentine diplomat after Bolsonaro's transit to U.S.
The move follows the defeated candidate's flight through Buenos Aires to Miami, a route that has further strained ties between the two South American nations.
By Chloe Martin ·
Diplomatic tensions between Brazil and Argentina escalated on Thursday when Brazil summoned the Argentine representative in Rio de Janeiro.
The meeting came after Flávio Bolsonaro traveled through Argentina to reach the United States. A diplomatic source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that Brazilian officials requested explanations regarding the transit.
João Marcelo, the director of the South America department at Brazil's foreign ministry, met with María Emilia Cortés, the Argentine chargé d'affaires. The source described the meeting as brief.
Argentina's President Javier Milei has yet to acknowledge the election victory of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the presidency on Sunday. Milei supported Bolsonaro in the race and distinguished his position from other regional allies of U.S. President Donald Trump who quickly offered congratulations.
Bolsonaro, 45, is currently under investigation in Brazil for corruption and money laundering. He has refused to concede defeat and claims the election was fraudulent, a claim for which he has not provided evidence. His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, also refused to accept his 2022 loss and is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup.
The relationship between the two countries has been strained since July. At that time, Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina after Milei insulted Brazilian officials during an event in Sao Paulo. Milei had called Lula a thief and a delinquent while participating in the event that confirmed Bolsonaro's presidential bid. Argentina reciprocated by recalling its own ambassador, leaving both nations represented by lower-ranking diplomatic officials.
Presidential spokesperson Juan Pablo Carreira stated on social media that the Argentine administration rescued Bolsonaro from the claws of communism. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called the Brazilian election rigged, gave Bolsonaro a pass to enter the country. Trump's administration approved U.S. visas for Bolsonaro and his family this week. In his first comments since leaving Brazil, Bolsonaro thanked Milei and Trump for welcoming him.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
