The Trump administration has revoked the visa of Brazil's ambassador to the United States, escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Brasília.
A State Department spokesperson said the decision followed weeks of communication with the Brazilian government, which they said continually delayed and obfuscated on outstanding diplomatic matters.
Brazilian Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti has not been declared persona non grata, but would need to reapply for a visa if she leaves the U.S., according to officials familiar with the matter.
The move comes after Brazil denied visas to two American diplomats last month and delayed approval for Danny Perez, President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Brazil.
"This is a reciprocal action," the State Department spokesperson said, noting that additional diplomatic measures remain possible if Brazil continues to delay or refuses to approve Perez.
Viotti is not being expelled from the U.S. and could resume her duties if Brazil approves Perez, sources indicated.
Last month, Brazil denied visas to Riley Barnes, the State Department's assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, along with one of Barnes' top aides.
The State Department said the pair planned a routine visit focused on election integrity, religious freedom, and freedom of expression, rejecting claims they intended to criticize Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or the electoral process.
President Lula is set to face Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in the Oct. 4 election.
The dispute coincides with the Trump administration's imposition of tariffs of up to 37.5% on thousands of Brazilian exports and designation of two major Brazilian drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
