US revokes Brazil ambassador's visa as diplomatic feud escalates

The Trump administration has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, in a sharp escalation of a diplomatic feud that is now bleeding into Brazil’s presidential election campaign.

The State Department confirmed the move, saying the visa was cancelled as a reciprocal measure after Brazil refused to approve the nomination of Daniel Perez, a Florida Republican and close ally of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as the next US ambassador to Brasília. Washington also cited Brazil’s decision last month to deny visas to two US officials who had planned a pre-election visit.

Retaliation over ambassadorial pick

Viotti, a former senior United Nations official, has not been formally expelled. But State Department officials made clear that if she left the United States, she would need to reapply for a visa. The visa could be restored, they said, if Brazil accepted Perez’s appointment.

A department spokesperson said Washington had given the Brazilian government “every opportunity to do the right thing” but that Brasília had “continually delayed and obfuscated.” The spokesperson framed the action as reciprocal, noting that diplomatic norms require both sides to agree on ambassadors. Washington also warned that further diplomatic action remains possible if Brazil continues to withhold approval.

Brazil had said its review of Perez’s nomination was still underway and that it would not make a decision before the first round of the election on 4 October. In Brasília’s view, the Trump administration breached protocol by announcing the nomination before seeking consent.

A growing list of disputes

The visa revocation is the latest flashpoint. Last month, Brazil refused to issue visas to Riley Barnes, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, and a senior aide. They had planned to visit Brasília for meetings with government officials and religious leaders about election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression.

Washington called the trip routine and rejected accusations that it was meant to interfere in the election. A State Department statement at the time called any suggestion of a “ploy” a “baseless lie.” Brazil, however, said the US officials intended to cast doubt on the integrity of its electronic voting system, describing the visit as an unacceptable attempt to interfere in the national political process.

Election politics loom over the row

The dispute is highly sensitive because of Brazil’s nearing vote. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, is seeking a fourth, non-consecutive term against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a close ally of Trump and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Brasília swiftly condemned the visa revocation as part of a deliberate campaign to influence the election. Lula’s office said the decision was not an isolated incident but part of “a deliberate escalation of hostile measures against Brazil, motivated by ideological reasons.”

The Trump administration rejected that framing. “President Trump has the right to determine who represents the American people and interests around the world,” the State Department said, adding that it rejects “any effort by foreign countries to interfere in our domestic processes.”

What’s next

The standoff leaves US-Brazil relations at their lowest point in years. Analysts say the immediate risk is further retaliation from Brasília, possibly affecting US diplomatic staff or delaying consular services. The ambassador’s visa status does not force her to leave, but it could complicate her ability to travel and perform diplomatic duties if she departs Washington.

With the election less than two months away, both governments appear dug in. Washington insists it will not withdraw Perez’s nomination, while Brasília has signaled it will not approve him before voting ends. The coming weeks may bring more turbulence as each side tries to avoid the appearance of backing down.