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Visa revocation escalates
The Trump administration revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, as diplomatic tensions escalated between the two countries ahead of Brazil's elections.
“A state department spokesperson called it a "reciprocal action".”
A state department spokesperson said the decision did not mean Viotti was being expelled from the US, calling it a "reciprocal action".
The BBC reported that the visa cancellation came after Brazil denied visas to two US state department officials who wanted to visit Brazil last month.
The LA17 account tied the move to retaliation for Brazil's delay in authorizing the new US ambassador, noting that the US concluded Brazil adopted practices that "entorpecen o restringen" the bilateral trade.
The LA17 report also said that on 22 de julio a 25% tariff on Brazilian products entered into force, linked to an investigation initiated under article 301 of the Ley de Comercio.
Reciprocity and election context
The BBC said Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused the officials of wanting to "meddle" in Brazil's elections, an allegation the US called "baseless".
The LA Nación report described the US action as reciprocity for Brazil's delay in approving the formal ambassador-designate, and said the visa would be restored when the situations involving US diplomats were resolved.
The AP-based reporting in Seattle Post-Intelligencer said the revocation was in retaliation for Brazil's refusal the month before to grant visas to two American diplomats and for Brazil's delay in approving the nominee for ambassador in Brasilia.
The BBC added that the two senior officials due in Brazil were identified as Riley M Barnes and Samuel Samson, and said they were expected to meet Flávio Bolsonaro, son of Jair Bolsonaro.
The LA Nación account placed the dispute in an electoral context, saying Lula would face Flávio Bolsonaro in elections scheduled for 4 de octubre.
What happens next
Multiple outlets said the revocation does not equal expulsion, with the BBC stating that while Viotti was not banned, "additional diplomatic options remain on the table".
“"additional diplomatic options remain on the table"”
The LA17 report said the US did not rule out adopting other measures, and it described the visa as potentially restituida if Brazil finally grants approval to Daniel Pérez.
The AP-based Seattle Post-Intelligencer account said the measure could be reversed quickly if Brazil takes actions the US considers appropriate and accepts the chosen ambassador.
The Folha de S.Paulo report said the revocation would be reversed if Brazil approves the appointment of Daniel Perez to assume duties in Brasília through agrément, while also stating that Viotti would remain in the country without a valid visa.
The BBC said the dispute is part of a series of conflicts after the US reimposed tariffs on Brazil and designated Brazilian gangs as terrorist organisations, with the BBC also noting that Flávio Bolsonaro's claims about electronic voting machines have been rejected by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court.
