The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, a State Department official confirmed on Tuesday, amid an escalating diplomatic row. This decision comes just months before Brazil's presidential election in October. The revocation will be reversed if Brazil approves President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Perez. Brazil condemned the move as an escalation of hostile measures, motivated by ideological reasons. The dispute is unfolding against the backdrop of Brazil's upcoming elections, where leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva faces a challenge from right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro.
Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil's ambassador to the US, was not declared persona non grata and is not required to leave the United States immediately. However, the visa revocation underscores the growing tensions between the two nations. The diplomatic spat intensified after Brazil denied visas to two US officials who sought to meet with election authorities last month, citing the 'risk of political exploitation.' The US officials intended to discuss election integrity, religious freedom, and freedom of expression.
This denial followed unfounded claims by Flavio Bolsonaro about the insecurity of Brazil's electronic voting system, echoing similar false claims made by former President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Donald Trump. Jair Bolsonaro, who was barred from running for office in 2023 after raising similar claims, is currently serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest for plotting a coup following his 2022 election loss.






























