US revokes Brazilian ambassador’s visa in election dispute
Why it matters: The move deepens a broader clash over Brazil’s Oct. 4 vote, tariffs and Washington’s stalled envoy pick.
The Trump administration revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, escalating a diplomatic fight with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government ahead of Brazil’s October election. U.S. officials cast the step as retaliation after Brazil denied visas last month to Riley Barnes, the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, and a senior aide who planned a late-July trip to Brasilia. Officials said Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti is not being expelled and could resume normal duties if Brazil accepts Trump’s nominee for ambassador in Brasilia, former Florida House speaker Danny Perez. Brazil has delayed approval of Perez and accused the U.S. visitors of trying to interfere in the election.