## 2024-08-09 13:08:00
The government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) expelled the Nicaraguan representative, Fulvia Patricia Castro Matus, from Brazil on Thursday (8th). This action was in response to the Nicaraguan government’s release of Brazil’s ambassador to the country, Breno de Souza da Costa.
Tensions between the two countries had been escalating since Lula attempted, unsuccessfully, to secure the release of a Catholic bishop persecuted by the Nicaraguan government. With the resignations of both ambassadors, relations reached a new low. The expulsion followed Costa’s absence from a July event celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, a movement that brought Ortega to power in 2007. His absence reportedly angered local authorities. Costa had been instructed by Itamaraty not to attend certain political events of the government.
Lula’s PT party shares a historical connection with Ortega’s Sandinista movement. The Nicaraguan government formally notified Costa of his expulsion two weeks ago. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent representatives to Managua to explain the decision and is awaiting clarification from the Nicaraguan government.
Costa left Nicaragua on Thursday, according to Itamaraty. The Brazilian government is currently evaluating its response to the expulsion.
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