Diplomatic Fallout: Brazil Expels Nicaraguan Ambassador in Retaliation

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has decided to expel Nicaragua's ambassador in Brazil, in retaliation for the expulsion of Brazil's ambassador by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. This marks a decline in relations between Brazil and some Latin American left-wing governments, influenced by differing stances on Venezuela's election.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has decided to expel Nicaragua's ambassador in Brasilia, following a similar move by Daniel Ortega's government, according to a source who spoke with Reuters on Thursday.

Nicaraguan diplomat Patricia Castro Matus' expulsion follows the ouster of Brazilian Ambassador Breno de Souza da Costa by Nicaragua after weeks of threats, stated an unnamed official at Brazil's foreign ministry. As of now, the Nicaraguan government has not offered any comments.

The expulsion incidents confirm the deteriorating relations between Brazil's Lula and some left-wing governments in Latin America, especially amid divisions over Venezuela's contested presidential election. President Lula has publicly criticized the Venezuelan government for not releasing election vote tallies. According to the source, Brazil's ambassador was ordered to leave Nicaragua on Thursday, and Matus was expected to leave Brazil the same day.

Relations frayed last month when Brazil's ambassador skipped the 45th anniversary celebrations of the Sandinista revolution, leading to threats of expulsion. Diplomatic ties have been on the decline since Lula attempted to broker the release of jailed Catholic bishop Rolando Jose Alvarez last year at Pope Francis's request, to which Ortega did not respond.

Lula recently disclosed to foreign journalists that an attempt to call Ortega last year, urged by the Pope, was ignored. Consequently, Brazil's foreign ministry has maintained only minimal relations with Nicaragua to serve the needs of Brazilian citizens in Managua.

(With inputs from agencies.)