The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, in a move that has intensified diplomatic tensions between the two countries ahead of Brazil’s presidential election scheduled for October.

A U.S. State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the decision was linked to Brazil’s delay in approving President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Brasília, Daniel Perez, a prominent Florida Republican nominated in early June. According to the official, the visa revocation would be reversed once Brazil grants approval for Perez to assume the diplomatic post. The official, however, clarified that Viotti had not been declared persona non grata and was not being ordered to leave the United States.

Kelechi Ohiri: The Harvard-Trained Reformer Driving Nigeria’s Universal Health Coverage Agenda

Brazil swiftly condemned the move, describing it as part of a broader pattern of hostile actions. In a statement, the office of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the decision was “not an isolated incident” but a deliberate escalation of measures motivated by ideological reasons. The latest dispute comes after Brazil denied visas to two U.S. officials who sought meetings with election authorities last month to discuss issues including election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression.

The diplomatic row unfolds against the backdrop of Brazil’s heated election season, where President Lula is expected to face right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro. The controversy also follows renewed allegations by Flavio Bolsonaro questioning Brazil’s electronic voting system, echoing claims previously made by his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Jair Bolsonaro was barred from contesting elections in 2023 over similar allegations and was later convicted of plotting a coup following his 2022 election defeat. He is currently serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest.