The Trump administration revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States on Tuesday — the latest jab in a monthslong diplomatic spat between the two countries.
The US action was taken in retaliation for Brazil’s withholding formal approval for the Trump administration’s pick for US ambassador to Brazil, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, a senior State Department official told reporters.
The official said Brazil has indicated the approval is likely to be delayed until after its election in October.
Brazil’s Response
The Brazilian government said it repudiates the visa revocation, calling both justifications from the US “false,” and noted that the US request remains under review.
“It should be recalled that individual sanctions against Brazilian officials remain in force, notably the cancellation of US visas based on the unfounded allegation that former President Bolsonaro is being subjected to political persecution,” the office of the president of Brazil said in a statement.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s office said the decision “is not an isolated incident” and “forms part of a deliberate escalation of hostile measures against Brazil, driven by ideological motives that are incompatible with a bilateral partnership that has always been guided by mutual respect.”
The Tit-for-Tat
The diplomatic dispute has been ongoing since at least March, when Brazil denied visas to a US delegation traveling to a critical minerals forum, the US official said. In July, Brazil also denied visas to two US officials, accusing them of plotting to meddle in Brazil’s electoral process.
“This week we had to deny visas to two young folks they were sending to Brazil to meddle in Brazil’s elections,” Lula said at an event last Wednesday.
The senior State Department official denied the accusations and said the two officials “were making a routine trip” and were “denied the ability to do routine, common work between the two countries.”
What Happens Next
The State Department official clarified that Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti will not be expelled from the US but warned that additional diplomatic options remain on the table if the Brazilian government continues to delay or refuse to approve the US ambassador nominee.
If Viotti leaves the country, she would need to reapply for a visa. The official said her visa will be reinstated if Brazil approves Perez.
“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 official said.
“President Trump has the right to determine who represents the American people and interests around the world.”
The Bottom Line
The Trump administration revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the US in retaliation for Brazil’s delay in approving the US ambassador nominee. Brazil called the move a “deliberate escalation of hostile measures” and said the US accusations are “false.” The diplomatic spat has been ongoing since March, with both sides trading visa denials. The Brazilian ambassador’s visa will be reinstated if Brazil approves the US nominee.
