DistantNews
Support us
White House revokes visa of Brazil's US ambassador
🇴🇲 Oman /Elections & Politics

White House revokes visa of Brazil's US ambassador

From Times of Oman · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The U.S. administration has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to the United States in response to Brazil denying visas to two American diplomats.
  • Brazil called the U.S. action an "escalation" and accused it of seeking to interfere in the country's upcoming presidential election.
  • U.S. officials stated the revocation is not an expulsion and could be reversed if Brazil approves the U.S. ambassadorial nominee.

The U.S. administration has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, in a move that has escalated diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Sources in the State Department confirmed the decision on Tuesday.

This action is reportedly a direct response to Brazil's denial of visas to two American diplomats who had intended to visit the country ahead of its upcoming elections. The U.S. has also expressed frustration over what it describes as Brazil's "stalling" of President Donald Trump's chosen ambassadorial nominee to Brazil.

The action was that the ​visa of a senior diplomat here was revoked or canceled. That is not the same thing as kicking the person out of ​the country. It means that they are here but without a visa, and would have their ​visa restored if ‌the balance is restored by giving agreement to our chosen ambassadorial nominee.

— State Department officialA U.S. State Department official explained the implications of the Brazilian ambassador's visa revocation.

Brazil's government strongly condemned the U.S. decision, labeling it an "escalation" and a deliberate act motivated by "ideological reasons." The office of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva issued a statement asserting that the U.S. action "crystalized the U.S. interest in interfering in the country's upcoming presidential election."

Today's decision is not an isolated incident. It is part of a deliberate escalation of hostile measures against Brazil, motivated by ideological reasons.

— Office of President Luiz Inacio Lula da SilvaBrazil's presidential office described the U.S. visa revocation as a hostile escalation.

Despite the visa revocation, a State Department official clarified that Ambassador Viotti is not being expelled from the U.S. The official explained that the visa cancellation means she is currently in the U.S. without a valid visa, which could be restored if Brazil grants approval for the U.S. ambassadorial nominee. The official stressed that Washington values its relationship with Brazil and respects the choices made by the Brazilian people through free and fair elections.

The dispute stems from Brazil's denial of visas last month to officials from the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, whom Brazil accused of attempting to undermine its electoral system. The U.S. denied these allegations, stating the diplomats planned routine meetings. Prior to this, Brazil had delayed formal approval for Daniel Perez, Trump's nominee for ambassador, who was appointed in June.

We want to be back in a situation where we have a normal, productive, transparent relationship with our colleagues.

— State Department officialA U.S. State Department official expressed a desire for normalized relations with Brazil.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog