US revokes Brazil ambassador's visa in Washington

The United States has withdrawn the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, in response to Brazil's refusal to approve a new U.S. ambassador and the denial of visas to two American diplomats. This move intensifies the strain between President Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, impacting trade and becoming a topic in Brazil's upcoming presidential election.

Brazil has vehemently criticized the U.S. decision to revoke its ambassador's visa, stating it is part of a conscious effort to escalate hostile actions against Brazil driven by ideological motives. The U.S. maintains the action is a "reciprocal response." Brazil has yet to formally approve Daniel Perez, nominated by President Trump as ambassador in June.

The Brazilian government dismisses the U.S. decision as based on "false claims" and asserts its consideration of Perez adheres to diplomatic norms. Additionally, Brazil has denied visas to two U.S. State Department officials in late September, claiming their visit aimed to undermine Brazil's electoral system, which Brazil labels as an "unacceptable interference attempt".

Recent polls show President Lula da Silva leading in the presidential race over Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, currently under house arrest for plotting a 2022 coup. While U.S. officials accuse Brazil of suppressing conservatives or favoring them in legal matters, Brazil counters, arguing the U.S. is meddling in Latin American politics to support conservative candidates.

Tensions escalated after the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on certain Brazilian goods, citing unfair trade practices, a move Brazil's President Lula da Silva immediately attributed to the Bolsonaro family to further their electoral advantage, a claim they deny.