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The Trump administration has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States amid escalating tensions between Washington and Brasília.
“We communicated continually with the Brazilian government for weeks and have given the Brazilian government every opportunity to do the right thing, yet they have continually delayed and obfuscated,” a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
The spokesperson said Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti has not been declared persona non grata. However, she would have to reapply for a visa if she leaves the U.S.
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The U.S. Department of State building is seen in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States. (Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images, File)
The move came after Brazil denied visas to two American diplomats last month and delayed approving former Florida House Speaker Danny Perez, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as ambassador to the South American country, according to The Associated Press.
“This is a reciprocal action,” the spokesperson said, adding that further diplomatic measures remain possible if Brazil continues to delay or refuses to approve Perez.
Viotti is not being expelled from the U.S. and could resume her duties if Brazil approves Perez, The Associated Press reported.
Bazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti has had her visa revoked by the Trump administration. (Wolfgang Kumm/DPA/AFP via Getty Images, File)
Last month, Brazil denied visas to Riley Barnes, the State Department‘s assistant Secretary of State for democracy, human rights and labor, as well as one of Barnes’ top aides, the outlet reported.
The State Department said the pair planned a routine visit to Brazil focused on election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression, rejecting claims that they had intended to criticize Lula or the election process.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks at the Workers’ Party national convention Sunday in São Paulo, Brazil. (Miguel Schincariol / AFP via Getty Images)
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President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to face Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in the Oct. 4 election, according to The Associated Press.
The dispute also comes as the Trump administration has imposed tariffs of up to 37.5% on thousands of Brazilian exports and designated two major Brazilian drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.