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The Trump administration has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, in a reciprocal move after Brazil denied visas to two American diplomats and delayed approval of Washington's ambassadorial nominee, a State Department spokesperson told Turkish news agency Anadolu on Tuesday.
"This is a reciprocal action. Should the ambassador leave the country, she would need to reapply for a visa," the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity.
"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 spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the visa cancellation stops short of declaring the ambassador persona non grata but signaled that Washington could escalate further.
"This is not a PNG, though additional diplomatic options remain on the table should the Brazilian government continue to delay, or if they refuse, agreement," the spokesperson said, referring to the formal acceptance given by a host country before a foreign ambassador is officially appointed.
"President Donald Trump has the right to determine who represents the American people and interests around the world," the spokesperson added. "We reject any effort by foreign countries to interfere in our domestic processes."
The dispute follows Brazil's decision last month to deny visas to Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Riley Barnes and Deputy Assistant Secretary Samuel Samson over concerns they could interfere in the country's October presidential election.
Washington rejects the allegation, saying the officials had planned to discuss election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression with Brazilian officials and civil society representatives.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said at the time that the two officials wanted to visit Brasilia to discuss "election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression" with government officials, religious leaders and others.
"Any insinuation of a 'ploy' to undermine a democratic nation's election is a baseless lie," the spokesperson said.
A Brazilian diplomatic source said Brazil denied the visas because of the "risk of political exploitation."
Brazilian authorities did not immediately respond to the Trump administration's move.
The latest spat comes just months before Brazil holds its Oct. 4 presidential election.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to face Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Brazil's denial of the visas came after Flavio Bolsonaro renewed unfounded claims that the country's electronic voting system was insecure and as Trump continues to falsely claim that widespread fraud cost him the 2020 U.S. election.
In 2023, Jair Bolsonaro was barred by electoral authorities from running for office after he raised similar claims the previous year while still president.
He was later convicted of plotting a coup following his 2022 election loss and is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest.
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