When nominating Flávio Bolsonaro as presidential candidate, Argentina’s President Javier Milei described Brazil’s head of state Lula as a “thief” and a judge as “bald-headed trash.” The scandal now has consequences.
July 26, 2026, 8:33 p.mJuly 26, 2026, 8:33 p.m
Insulted the president and a judge: Argentine President Javier Milei.Image: keystone
After the controversial appearance of Argentine President Javier Milei the nomination of the right-wing Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro Brazil has recalled its ambassador in Buenos Aires for consultations. This was reported by CNN Brasil, among others, citing the Brazilian Foreign Ministry and Argentine media.
At the party conference of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party (PL) the day before in Brazil, Milei sharply criticized the left-wing incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Milei described Lula as a “thief” and a “prisoner”. He also called for people to turn their backs on the “socialist scum” in Latin America.
Milei about Richter: “Bald-headed trash”
Lula wants to run for re-election in October as the candidate of the PT workers’ party. His main challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, is the son of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for an attempted coup. He is under house arrest for health reasons.
Milei, one of the most prominent representatives of the political right in Latin America, wanted to visit Jair Bolsonaro during his trip to Brazil. However, judge Alexandre de Moraes prohibited him from doing so. In his speech, Milei criticized the Brazilian judiciary and described the judge as “bald-headed trash.”
The government in Brasília reportedly viewed Milei’s statements as an “affront” and took action. In diplomacy, temporarily recalling one’s own ambassador for consultations is a sign of protest or displeasure towards the receiving state. (dpa) (schweiztoday.ch)