The Argentine newspaper La Nacion described this disagreement as “the worst moment in the bilateral relationship.”

The day that Mercosur secured approval in Brussels for its agreement with the European Union also became a day of bitter conflict within the South American bloc due to the insolence of the Argentinian leader, who published a photo of Lula with the kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro and made insulting remarks.

Brazil’s assumption of the Argentine representation in Caracas was an attempt by Lula da Silva to improve relations with Milei after the latter expelled Venezuelan diplomats, a move that prompted Maduro to reciprocate and deepen the conflict between the two countries.

According to La Nacion, Milei’s disagreement with Lula is longstanding, as he has always believed that the Workers’ Party leader intervened on behalf of Sergio Massa in the 2023 runoff campaign by sending his own campaign team, what the Brazilian government has denied.

For his part, Lula is offended by the number of times Milei has called him corrupt, naming him specificall and also fir Milei’s participation in campaign events for his main internal rival, Jair Bolsonaro.

This relationship, the article adds, is not only crucial for Mercosur’s negotiations with third-party blocs and countries. Thus, the atmosphere between Argentina and Brazil is more tense than ever, and it remains to be seen what stance the nine “partners” will take.

jdt/rc/mh