Diplomatic Tensions Rise: Brazil and Nicaragua Expel Ambassadors

Brazil and Nicaragua have expelled each other's ambassadors in a tit-for-tat diplomatic conflict. This move highlights the deteriorating relations between Brazil's President Lula and Nicaragua's President Ortega, amidst broader regional rifts over Venezuela. The spat began after Brazil's envoy in Managua was ordered to leave, leading to reciprocal action by Brazil.

Brazil and Nicaragua expelled each other's ambassadors on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in the deteriorating relations between the two formerly allied leftist governments. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided on the expulsion following a similar move by Daniel Ortega's government against Brazil's envoy in Managua, according to Lula's chief of staff.

The diplomatic spat underscores the increasing tensions between Brazil and some other Latin American left-wing governments, particularly over disputes such as Venezuela's contested presidential election. President Lula has openly criticized the Venezuelan government for withholding vote tallies, leading to heightened tensions. Chief of Staff Rui Costa stated, "In diplomacy, there is reciprocity," explaining that Brazil had to respond in kind after its ambassador was expelled from Nicaragua. Costa emphasized Brazil's desire for peaceful and cooperative international relations but asserted that harassment of its diplomats was unacceptable.

Nicaraguan diplomat Patricia Castro Matus was expelled from Brazil after her government had already expelled Brazilian Ambassador Breno de Souza da Costa, following threats issued three weeks prior. Later, Nicaragua's Vice-President Rosario Murillo confirmed the departure of Brazil's ambassador and announced that the expelled Nicaraguan diplomat would be reassigned to a position in the economy ministry of the Central American nation.

The conflict traces back to Brazil's ambassador's absence at the 45th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution, which led to threats of expulsion from Nicaragua. Relations have been strained since Lula, at the request of Pope Francis, attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate the release of jailed Catholic bishop Rolando Jose Alvarez, a prominent critic of Ortega's regime. President Lula recently told reporters that his efforts to communicate with Ortega last year fell through when the Nicaraguan president refused his call. Consequently, Brazil's foreign ministry has maintained only minimal diplomatic contact with Nicaragua, focused chiefly on assisting Brazilian citizens in Managua.

(With inputs from agencies.)