The Brazilian government strongly condemned the US State Department's decision to alter the visa status of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, calling the reasons cited by the United States "false."
RIO DE JANEIRO — The Brazilian government strongly condemned the US State Department's decision to alter the visa status of Brazil's ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, calling the reasons cited by the United States "false."
The US government revoked the Brazilian ambassador's visa in retaliation for Brazil's refusal last month to issue visas to two US State Department officials and its delay in approving US President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Brazil.
In a statement, the Brazilian government defended its decision to deny entry visas to the two US officials, saying they intended to visit Brazil to question the integrity of the country's electoral system, which it described as an unacceptable attempt to interfere in domestic political affairs, Xinhua news agency reported.
Regarding Washington's criticism of the approval process for the new US ambassador, Brazil said the United States had publicly announced its nominee before formally requesting approval, in violation of Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
"There is no rule in the Vienna Convention stipulating a deadline for granting agreement," the statement said, adding that the US request remains under review.
The statement also noted that unilateral US sanctions against Brazilian officials, including Supreme Court justices and senior government officials whose US visas were revoked over allegations of political persecution, remain in place, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two countries.
A senior State Department official was quoted by US media as saying the revocation was in response to Brazil denying visas to two US diplomats last month and withholding approval of the Trump administration's nominee for US ambassador to Brazil.
In early June, US President Donald Trump nominated Daniel Perez to be the next US ambassador to Brazil. The US Senate has yet to confirm his nomination, and he will not be able to take up the post until Brazil approves the appointment.
The State Department official added that the Brazilian ambassador's visa would be restored if the situation was resolved.
Brazil's Foreign Ministry confirmed the US move to Brazilian media outlet Globonews. Viotti was in Brazil when she was notified of the visa revocation, according to the report.
In recent weeks, Washington has announced new visa restrictions on Brazilian officials and criticized decisions by Brazil's Supreme Federal Court related to high-profile judicial investigations.