The United States Cancels Brazilian Ambassador's Visa Amidst Diplomatic Tensions

The United States has canceled the visa of Brazilian Ambassador to Washington Maria Luiza Viotti as retaliation for the Brazilian government's delay in granting its approval to the US ambassador designate to Brasilia.

Washington accuses Brazil of withholding formal diplomatic approval of the ambassador designated by the Trump administration and has accused Brazil of denying visas to several US diplomats, a senior State Department official reported on Tuesday.

The diplomat's visa will be reinstated if the situation is resolved, the official said, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Other US officials reported that the measure had been postponed to give Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a chance to reverse the situation.

Washington complains that Lula's government rejected visas for two US diplomats who sought to visit Brazil before next October's presidential elections.

The State Department, led by Marco Rubio, said the denial of the Brazilian ambassador's visa is a reciprocal response to the actions of the Brazilian government, according to AP.

US officials claim they delayed the measure several times to give the Brazilian president time to rectify the situation.

Sources from the department equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the sanction could be resolved as soon as Brazil recognizes Trump's chosen ambassador.

“Reciprocity is key,” a State Department official said, according to statements collected by Associated Press.

The State Department has explained that Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti will be able to continue living in her home in the US despite the visa revocation.

What she will not be able to do is maintain her country's official representation to US authorities until the situation is resolved.

US officials explain that Ribeiro Viotti will be able to resume her official duties if the Brazilian government accepts the designation of Danny Pérez, former President of the Florida House of Representatives, as US ambassador to Brazil.

US authorities believe the situation will not return to normal until after next year's legislative and presidential elections in the Latin American country.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries are not at their best.

The two American leaders are at opposite ideological poles.

The Donald Trump administration has gradually toughened its rhetoric against Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

A couple of weeks ago, it imposed a new tariff of up to 37.5% on a wide variety of Brazilian products, alleging that Lula was “negotiating in bad faith.”