US revokes visa of Brazilian ambassador amid deepening diplomatic spat

The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, according to a state department official. The decision is not an expulsion, but rather the cancellation of a senior diplomat's visa, the official clarified. The move comes after Brazil delayed approving a new U.S. ambassador, as stated by the U.S. official.

The diplomat said the U.S. believes Brazil owes it a "prompt and positive answer" to its request. This latest diplomatic dispute follows Brazil's denial of visas for two U.S. officials who sought to meet with election authorities last month. Brazil cited the risk of "political exploitation" as the reason for denying the visas. These actions follow claims by Brazil's right-wing presidential candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, that the country's electronic voting system is insecure, fueling false allegations of widespread election fraud made by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Flavio Bolsonaro's father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, was recently barred from running for office and is currently serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after his 2022 election loss.