Bolsonaro slams Argentina on abortion move

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has slammed Argentina for "sanctioning murder" by legalising abortion until the 14th week of pregnancy.

"Sadly, Argentina approved abortion until the 14th week of gestation. In my opinion, this is murder of a defenceless person," the Brazilian far-right leader said in his usual live video speech on social media on Thursday.

"We deplore this, because we understand that it involves the killing of a child in the uterus, no matter which country it is in," said Bolsonaro, a reserve captain in the military and a steadfast defender of conservative values who has been at loggerheads with the government of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez.

The Argentine Senate on Wednesday passed a bill legalising voluntary abortion with a 38-29 vote in favour with one abstention, marking a radical change from the earlier law, under which abortions could be legally performed only in cases of rape or risk to a woman's life or health.

The Brazilian president reiterated that as long as he was in power, Brazil wouldn't follow in its neighbour's footsteps.

"As long as it depends on me, abortion will never be approved in Brazil," he said in a speech transmitted via Facebook live.

Bolsonaro blamed the development in Argentina on its voter decision to not re-elect conservative former president Mauricio Macri and having no good alternative to replace him.

He urged voters to find an alternative when they want to free themselves from an unpopular leader.