Washington, DC – The US State Department has revoked the visa of Brazilian Ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, in retaliation for Brazil’s refusal to formally approve President Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador. It also denied visas to two US diplomats. This represents a rapidly escalating development. Moreover, it reflects the growing tension between Washington and Brasilia.
Brazilian ambassador to the United States revoked visa
A senior State Department official announced Tuesday that the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, had been revoked. The State Department’s decisive action came after the Brazilian government refused to formally approve President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Brazil. In addition, the government denied visas to two other U.S. diplomats.
The US State Department’s decision is part of an escalating dispute between the Trump administration and the government of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This growing conflict has cast a long shadow over bilateral relations. It is causing significant disruptions to trade between the two countries. Furthermore, it has also emerged as a major factor influencing the political landscape and the upcoming Brazilian presidential elections scheduled for October.
US diplomatic pressure on Brazil
Speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, the US official explained that the visa revocation was temporary and reversible. He also indicated that the Brazilian ambassador’s visa would be reinstated once the dispute was resolved. “The action was to revoke the visa of a senior diplomat here. This does not mean expelling the person from the country,” the official said.
He continued, “It means they are here, but without a visa, and their visas will be reinstated if the balance is restored through the approval of our nominee for US ambassador to Brazil,” noting that the acceptance of an ambassador is typically a formal and routine diplomatic procedure. So far, there has been no official response from the Brazilian government regarding this escalation by the US.
Tensions escalate between Washington and Brasilia
The escalating tension stems from Brazil’s weeks-long delay in formally approving the appointment of Daniel Perez, a Florida congressman and close ally of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. President Trump nominated Perez to be the U.S. ambassador to Brazil on June 1st. The nominations were expected to be approved quickly. Usually, such approval happens without obstacles.
Reuters reported last week, citing informed sources, that Trump administration officials were deeply frustrated by Brazil’s deliberate delays. One source had previously confirmed that the US administration would not hesitate to take punitive measures if Brazil continued to withhold the necessary approvals. The approvals were needed for the new US ambassador to officially assume his post. Washington has now translated this into action through this latest diplomatic move. This move threatens to further complicate bilateral relations in the coming period.
