President Javier Milei on Sunday renewed his attacks on Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, describing the leftist leader as a "thief" and "corrupt" days after triggering a diplomatic row between the neighbouring countries. "He's a thief, he's corrupt, he's been convicted of theft and corruption, he's been in prison, so it's true that we can call him a convict," Milei said in an interview with LN+ television. Milei added when questioned about describing Lula as a "thief" during last weekend's event in São Paulo, where he endorsed the presidential candidacy of right-wing lawmaker Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Asked why he was so hostile towards Lula, Milei defended his comments. Calling a thief a 'thief' is far less serious than the act of stealing itself," he said.