The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, amid a diplomatic conflict with the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This is reported by AP, writes UNN.
Details
According to the U.S. State Department, the decision was a response to Brazil's refusal to issue visas to two American diplomats who planned to visit the country ahead of the upcoming elections, as well as due to the delay in approving the candidacy of the U.S. ambassador to Brazil, proposed by Donald Trump.
American officials noted that this step was postponed several times, hoping that the Brazilian side would change its position. At the same time, Washington stated that the decision could be quickly reconsidered if Brazil approves the candidacy of the American ambassador.
Brazil accused the U.S. of political pressure
The Brazilian government stated that Washington violated international law by making public the ambassador's candidacy before receiving Brazil's official consent, as required by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Lula urged Trump not to interfere in Brazil's presidential election18.06.26, 02:37
In Brasília, the visa revocation was also called a politically motivated step aimed at influencing the presidential elections scheduled for October.
Despite the visa revocation, according to AP, Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti will not be expelled from the U.S. She will be able to continue performing her duties if the diplomatic dispute between the countries is resolved.
Relations between the Trump and Lula administrations remain tense due to differences in foreign policy, particularly regarding Venezuela and Cuba, as well as Trump's support for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Brazil denied visas to American diplomats over fears of election interference26.07.26, 02:55