São Paulo.- Argentine President Javier Milei, who traveled to Brazil to support the launch of Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s candidacy, was received this Saturday by the Governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, who awarded him the Order of Ipiranga, the regional government’s highest honor.
Milei arrived at the São Paulo government headquarters together with his sister, Karina Milei, before attending the Liberal Party convention, Bolsonaro’s political group.
The Argentine president was received with the highest honors at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, but instead of a red carpet, they rolled out a blue one.
The change of color in the carpet was a detail from the regional leader to make reference to the so-called Latin American “blue wave,” an expression used by right-wing allies for the advance of conservative governments in the region.
The meeting with the governor of São Paulo
During his visit to the Palace, Milei held a private meeting with Freitas in which they discussed matters of bilateral interest in the economic and commercial areas.
The state of São Paulo, Brazil’s main industrial hub, has consolidated a strategic trade relationship with Argentina, especially in the automotive sector.
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“Argentina is a strategic partner for São Paulo and the numbers show the strength of this cooperation,” stated the governor, while highlighting the intention to expand investments and opportunities for joint development.
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The region accounts for 46% of Brazilian exports to Argentina, according to data released by the state government.
After the meeting, the Argentine leader headed to the Pacaembu soccer stadium to support his friend and ally Flávio, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, at a time when he has lost strength in the polls against the current ruler, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The latest poll by the firm Datafolha, released on Friday, left Lula with 48% of the support compared to the 43% that Flávio Bolsonaro would obtain in a possible second round of the elections.
Milei says it is “a pity” not to be able to visit Jair Bolsonaro
On the other hand, Milei regretted this Saturday in São Paulo not having been able to visit former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), convicted of coup-mongering and under house arrest, after the Supreme Court denied him permission for failing to comply with the restrictions imposed under that regime.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t see your dad,” Milei told Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of the former Brazilian president, who is under house arrest after being sentenced to 27 years for an attempted coup d’état, according to a video posted on social media by the senator.
The Argentine president met with Flávio Bolsonaro at the Bandeirantes Palace, the seat of the São Paulo state government, where he had previously held a meeting with Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.
