US Declared Brazilian Ambassador as “persona non-grata”
The United States has revoked the diplomatic visa of Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, marking a fresh escalation in tensions between Washington and Brasília. A senior U.S. State Department official confirmed the decision on August 4, 2026, describing it as a “reciprocal action.” The move comes as diplomatic disagreements between the two countries have intensified ahead of Brazil’s October presidential election.
According to the State Department, the visa was revoked after Brazil delayed approval of Daniel Perez, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Brazil, and refused visas for two American diplomats who planned to visit the country. The administration described the measure as a diplomatic response while leaving the door open for a negotiated resolution.
US Cites Ambassador Approval Delay and Diplomatic Disputes
The United States revoked the visa of Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti after a series of diplomatic disputes with Brazil. The main issue was Brazil’s delay in approving Daniel Perez, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the next US ambassador to Brazil. Under diplomatic rules, a host country must grant agrément, or formal approval, before a foreign ambassador can assume office. US officials also cited Brazil’s recent decision to deny visas to two State Department officials who planned to visit the country.
The visa cancellation also reflects broader tensions that have strained US-Brazil relations in recent months. The Trump administration has imposed new tariffs on several Brazilian exports and designated major Brazilian criminal gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. At the same time, both governments have disagreed over political and foreign policy issues, further worsening bilateral ties. US officials described the visa cancellation as a “reciprocal action,” saying it was a direct response to Brazil’s diplomatic decisions.
Brazil Rejects US Claims and Alleges Election Interference
Brazil has strongly rejected the U.S. explanation for revoking Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti’s visa. Brasília accused the United States of increasing political pressure ahead of Brazil’s October presidential election, in which Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. In addition, Brazilian officials said Daniel Perez, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Brazil, remains under formal review and insisted that the approval process will follow Brazil’s diplomatic procedures without external influence. They also argued that Washington broke diplomatic protocol by announcing Perez’s nomination before securing Brazil’s consent.
Brazil defended its decision to deny visas to two U.S. State Department officials, saying their planned visit could undermine confidence in the country’s electronic voting system. Flávio Bolsonaro has claimed Brazil’s voting machines share the same origins as Venezuela’s and cited a CIA report on alleged electoral fraud there. However, Washington rejected Brazil’s concerns and maintained that the visit was a routine diplomatic mission. For now, the future of the dispute will largely depend on diplomatic negotiations and the decisions both governments make in the coming weeks.
Web Resources on US revokes Brazilian ambassador visa
1. CNN.com : Trump admin revokes visa of Brazilian ambassador to US.
2. Guardian.com : US revokes Brazil ambassador’s visa in escalation of diplomatic feud.
3. Reuters.com : US revokes visa of Brazilian ambassador over diplomatic dispute.
4. Fox News.com : Trump admin revokes Brazilian ambassador’s visa in escalating diplomatic feud.