The Trump administration revokes the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, as diplomatic tensions between Washington and Brazil escalate under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The U.S. State Department says the cancellation is a reciprocal response to Brazil’s actions, including Brazil’s decision last month to deny visas to two American diplomats who sought to visit ahead of Brazil’s upcoming elections.
Multiple outlets report that the U.S. action is also linked to Brazil’s refusal or delay in approving President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador in Brasília. According to officials cited by several sources, the visa revocation was delayed multiple times, which they say was intended to give Lula’s government room to change course. The decision is described as coming after Brazil did not back down.
Brazil’s president’s office responds that it repudiates the U.S. decision. Several reports also say the step could be reversed if Brazil takes appropriate action, including accepting the U.S. ambassadorial choice.
