BRASILIA (Reuters) – Argentina’s President-elect Javier Milei has previously offended Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and needs to apologize before talks between them commence, a close aide to Brazil’s leftist leader said on Monday, casting doubt about the countries’ future relationship.
“(Milei) freely offended President Lula,” Social Communications Minister Paulo Pimenta told reporters. “It’s up to Milei, as president-elect, to call and apologize. After that I would consider the possibility of further talks.”
Far-right libertarian Milei has criticized Lula multiple times, labeling him an “angry communist” and “socialist with a totalitarian vocation”.
Brazil is Argentina’s largest trade partner.
Lula, who had warmer relations with Milei’s rival – Economy Minister Sergio Massa – on Sunday extended best wishes to the newly elected government in Argentina, but did not make direct mention of Milei.
Meanwhile, the new Argentine leader is closer to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who Lula defeated in elections last year and is now barred from seeking public office until 2030 on counts of abuse of power and misuse of the media.
On Monday, Bolsonaro posted a video on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing a call he had with Milei alongside his son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro.
“Jair and Eduardo, it would be a great honor for me if you could come to the inauguration on Dec. 10,” Milei told them.
“We’ll go,” Bolsonaro replied. “I’m very happy. Whatever I can do for you, I’ll be at your disposal. I’m on the brink of supporting Argentina when they play Brazil on Tuesday.”
(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Isabel Woodford)
