Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina after accusing President Javier Milei of insulting Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other officials.

Milei made the remarks during a rally in São Paulo supporting Flávio Bolsonaro, who is running against Lula in Brazil’s upcoming presidential election.

The Argentine leader criticized Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes while backing the Bolsonaro family’s political movement.

Brazilian officials condemned the comments as attacks on the country’s democracy and government institutions, the BBC has reported.

The dispute has further strained relations between the two neighboring nations, which are major trading partners.