The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington in the latest escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two countries ahead of Brazil’s upcoming elections.
According to the US State Department, Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti had her visa cancelled after Brazil refused visas to two senior US officials who planned to visit the country last month.
A State Department spokesperson described the decision as a “reciprocal action”, adding that it does not amount to the ambassador’s expulsion from the United States.
The spokesperson said Washington had repeatedly engaged with Brazilian authorities before taking the step.
“We communicated continually with the Brazilian government for weeks and have given the Brazilian government every opportunity to do the right thing, yet they have continually delayed and obfuscated,” the spokesperson said.
The department also warned that additional diplomatic measures remain under consideration.
Brazil’s government rejected the US explanation. In a statement, the office of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the American justification as “false.”
Election Dispute Fuels Tensions
The disagreement centres on a planned visit by two US State Department officials in late July. The delegation said it intended to discuss freedom of expression, religious liberty and election integrity.
The officials were also expected to meet Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. President Lula accused the US delegation of attempting to interfere in Brazil’s domestic political process, an allegation Washington dismissed as baseless.
Brazil subsequently denied visas to the visiting officials. Among those affected were Riley M. Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, and Samuel Samson, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the same bureau.
Voting System At The Centre Of Debate
The diplomatic dispute has unfolded alongside renewed debate over Brazil’s electronic voting system.
Flávio Bolsonaro recently called for extensive international observation of Brazil’s elections after raising concerns about electronic voting machines.
Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court has repeatedly rejected allegations questioning the integrity of the country’s electoral system, which many international experts regard as one of the world’s most secure.
Wider Diplomatic Strains
Relations between Washington and Brasília have deteriorated in recent months following renewed US tariffs on Brazilian goods and the designation of several Brazilian criminal groups as terrorist organisations.
Another source of friction is the nomination of Daniel Perez, a Florida state representative chosen by President Donald Trump to serve as US ambassador to Brazil. Brazil has not yet approved the nomination, saying the request remains under review.
President Lula has also criticised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accusing Washington of becoming increasingly involved in Latin American politics and openly supporting conservative political figures in the region.
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