Brazil's government summoned Argentina's highest-ranking diplomatic representative in Brasília on Thursday, demanding explanations about the country's possible role in helping Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro leave Brazil and travel to the United States.

The diplomatic move followed Bolsonaro's departure through Argentina earlier in the week, despite a Brazilian Supreme Court order requiring him to surrender his passports and remain in the country amid an investigation involving alleged money laundering.

According to Brazilian diplomatic sources cited by Reuters, Argentina's chargé d'affaires, María Emilia Cortés, was called to meet with João Marcelo Galvão de Queiroz, a senior official in Brazil's Foreign Ministry. The meeting was brief and intended to formally register Brazil's displeasure over Argentina's possible involvement.

Argentine authorities confirmed that Bolsonaro, his wife and two daughters crossed into Argentina on Tuesday evening before boarding a chartered aircraft. The family traveled through Ecuador before arriving in Miami on Wednesday.

Bolsonaro, the son of imprisoned former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, thanked Argentine President Javier Milei for his assistance in a letter released after reaching the United States. He also expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and the American people for welcoming him.

Argentina's government has disputed Brazil's account of the diplomatic exchange. Foreign Affairs Minister Pablo Quirno rejected reports that Brazil had formally requested explanations, writing on X that there had been no such request. Brazil's Foreign Ministry declined to publicly comment.

The incident comes amid deteriorating relations between Lula and Milei. The two leaders have repeatedly clashed, with Milei directing personal insults at the Brazilian president and publicly supporting Bolsonaro's presidential campaign.

Brazil previously recalled its ambassador from Argentina following Milei's remarks, while Argentina also withdrew its ambassador from Brasília. Both countries are currently represented by lower-ranking diplomatic officials.

Milei's administration has continued to defend Bolsonaro. Presidential spokesperson Juan Pablo Carreira said the government had rescued the Brazilian politician from what he described as communism's efforts to imprison opposition figures.

Bolsonaro's departure also raises questions about compliance with Brazil's judicial restrictions. The senator was required to surrender his travel documents and remain in Brazil as part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes. He denies wrongdoing and has characterized the investigation as political persecution.

Bolsonaro recently lost Brazil's presidential runoff election to Lula and has refused to concede, alleging electoral fraud without providing evidence.

The Trump administration approved U.S. visas for Bolsonaro and his family earlier in the week. Trump had criticized Brazil's election but stopped short of recognizing Bolsonaro as the country's president-elect.

The diplomatic confrontation now threatens to further strain relations between two of South America's largest countries, as Brazil seeks answers about the circumstances surrounding Bolsonaro's departure.