US revokes Brazil ambassador’s visa in escalation of diplomatic feud
Move is retaliation for Lula’s government refusal to approve Trump’s nominee for ambassador in Brasília
TL;DR
- US revokes visa of Brazil's ambassador, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.
- Action is in retaliation for Brazil's refusal to approve US ambassador nominee Daniel Perez.
- Brazil also denied visas to two US diplomats planning to visit ahead of elections.
- Brazil condemns the US action as a deliberate attempt to influence its election.
- The dispute is entangled with Brazil's election campaign between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro.
- US argues it has the right to choose its ambassador.
- Brazil accuses US of breaching diplomatic norms and interfering in its political process.
- Previous clashes between Trump and Lula's governments on various foreign policy issues.
- Economic tensions exist with US tariffs on Brazilian exports.
- US classifies Brazilian drug-trafficking organizations as foreign terrorist organizations, opposed by Brazil.