On the first day of the G20 summit in Brazil, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Argentine Javier Milei, who reflected the personal and ideological differences between the two.
This was the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders, which lasted just 15 seconds and contrasted with the warm manner that Lula demonstrated to other heads of state, such as the Frenchman Emmanuel Macron (a strong hug and conversation hand in hand) and the Spanish Pedro Sánchez (hugging even in the official photo).
Milei arrived at the meeting at 10:45 am, accompanied by Karina Milei, secretary general of the Presidency. When disembarking from the official car, both showed serious expressions and spoke briefly with a person responsible for protocol, who led them to a red ramp.
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At the top of the ramp, Lula and his wife, Rosângela da Silva, were waiting for them, maintaining a rigid posture as they tried to overcome the awkward moment.
During the brief meeting, Lula formally greeted Milei, posed for the official photo and indicated the direction Milei should follow to participate in the first debate of the summit, which takes place at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro.
The Argentine president was the last G20 leader to be received by Lula, who had already greeted other leaders, including Joe Biden, who is saying goodbye to global power, and Russian Chancellor Sergey Lavrov, who represents Vladimir Putin in Rio.
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Troubled history
Differences between the two presidents began during the 2023 election campaign, when Lula supported Sergio Massa, Milei’s opponent.
Before the second round, Milei called Lula a “nervous communist” and accused him of taking direct actions against his candidacy.
despite representing Argentina’s most important partner in Mercosur.
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In return, Milei received Jair Bolsonaro, Lula’s political rival, at his inauguration, in which the former Brazilian president sat alongside heads of state.
The relationship between Milei and Lula deteriorated further with mutual criticism in the media, despite the growth of trade between Argentina and Brazil.
In July, , again calling him “corrupt” and “communist”.
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In response: “If you govern Argentina, that’s good enough.” Milei denied the request, criticizing the Brazilian president’s.
Still in July, Milei did not attend a Mercosur meeting.
With the G20 approaching, the Casa Rosada had to make a decision about Milei’s participation in the summit. Willing not to give up geopolitical space to Lula, the Argentine confirmed his presence at the event.
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Since arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Milei has remained distant from Lula, disagreeing with his perspective on issues such as climate change and sustainable development.
Furthermore, Milei opposes the Russian invasion of Ukraine and believes that the G20 should condemn Vladimir Putin’s actions, but found no support in the proposals presented by Lula.
Milei also opposes Lula’s alliances with countries such as Iran and his stance towards Palestine, especially with regard to support for groups such as Hamas.
The Argentine president made it clear that he will not sign the final G20 communiqué unless there is an explicit condemnation of Hamas and other groups that operate under the influence of Iran.
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