Trump administration revokes Brazilian ambassador's visa amid diplomatic spat

The Trump administration has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, on August 4, 2026, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations. This move by the US State Department is presented as a reciprocal action, coming after Brazil's recent denial of visas to two American diplomats who intended to visit the country before its upcoming October elections. Additionally, the US cited Brazil's delay in formally approving President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Brasília, former Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, as a contributing factor to the decision.

Despite the revocation, Ambassador Viotti has not been expelled from the United States, and US officials have indicated that her visa could be reinstated if Brazil moves to approve the American ambassadorial choice. However, Brazil has strongly condemned the US action, asserting that the justifications provided are false and characterizing the visa revocation as a politically motivated escalation of hostile measures.

The diplomatic friction is unfolding amidst Brazil's increasingly contentious election campaign, where current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking re-election against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, whose family has close ties to the Trump administration. This incident is part of a broader strained relationship between the Trump administration and Lula's government, which has also included US tariffs on Brazilian exports and the revocation of visas for several Brazilian Supreme Court justices and other officials.