Argentine President Javier Milei called Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a “thief” in an Instagram post after Brazil’s first-round vote, in which Flávio Bolsonaro advanced to the runoff.
Milei posted the insult over a photograph of Brazil’s president on his account. The Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the Argentine leader openly supports right-wing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro.
The first round took place on October 4. Incumbent Lula and Bolsonaro advanced to the runoff, scheduled for October 25. Reuters has also reported that the two candidates will face each other in the second round.
Milei has previously directed sharp criticism at his Brazilian counterpart. Their relationship has been strained by Milei’s stated refusal to work with socialists and left-wing politicians.
Instagram is owned by Meta, which Russia has designated an extremist organization and banned.