US Revokes Brazilian Ambassador's Visa Amid Election Interference Claims

The United States Department of State revoked the entry visa of Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil's ambassador to Washington, on August 4, 2026. U.S. officials described the move as a reciprocal measure after Brazil denied visas to two State Department officials and withheld formal approval for Daniel Perez, the U.S. ambassador nominee to Brazil. Washington stated Viotti's visa would be restored once Brazil approves Perez, though she has not been declared persona non grata.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the action as irresponsible and unthinking, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to interfere in Brazil's upcoming October presidential election to restore right-wing power. In response, Lula announced reciprocal measures and signaled that Perez's credentials would not be processed until after the election. The Brazilian government characterized the visa revocation as a deliberate escalation of hostile measures driven by ideological reasons.

Diplomatic tensions have been compounded by U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods, reported between 25% and 50%, and a U.S. executive order declaring Brazil a national security threat. Simultaneously, Brazil downgraded relations with Argentina, indefinitely delaying the return of its ambassador to Buenos Aires after President Javier Milei publicly insulted Lula during a rally in São Paulo, calling him a thief and corrupt.

The conflict coincides with a narrow three-way presidential race in Brazil between Lula and candidates including Flávio Bolsonaro, who maintains close ties with President Donald Trump and President Milei. The diplomatic rift caused a temporary weakening of the Brazilian real on the B3 exchange.