Lula war remark prompts Paraguay to summon Brazil envoy

Paraguay's foreign minister summoned Brazil's ambassador on Thursday after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva commented on a 19th-century war between the two countries.

Lula said, "Let us not forget that, one fine day, Paraguay decided to invade Brazil," while arguing for higher military spending. The remarks referred to the War of the Triple Alliance against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay from 1864 to 1870.

Paraguay's government and opposition issued official statements after the comments. Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez said he had spoken with his Brazilian counterpart about the "sensitive matter," and that Lula had also spoken with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena.

Ramirez said Brazil's ambassador to Paraguay, Jose Antonio Marcondes de Carvalho, would receive an official note from Paraguay's government on Friday. He said Paraguay and Brazil maintain dialogue "as strategic allies beyond this regrettable incident."

Brazil is also in a separate diplomatic dispute with Argentina after Argentine President Javier Milei appeared to call Lula a "convict" and a "thief" over the weekend.