US revokes visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington in escalating row
State Department retaliates against Brasilia over delayed envoy approval as fractious relationship is again tested
The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador, a State Department official said Tuesday, in a mounting diplomatic row just months before elections in Latin America’s largest nation.
The move would be reversed, the official said on customary condition of anonymity, if Brazil granted its approval of US President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Brasilia.
Trump nominated Daniel Perez, a prominent Florida Republican, as the new ambassador to Brazil in early June.
While the nomination still requires confirmation by the US Senate, he would not be able to take up the post until Brazil gives approval.
“We think the government of Brazil owes us a prompt and positive answer to our request,” the official said.
Brazil’s envoy, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, was however not being declared persona non grata and forced to leave the United States, the official clarified.