Trump Revokes Visa of Brazilian Ambassador to the US Amid Diplomatic Row
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has revoked the visa of Brazil’s Ambassador in Washington DC, Maria Luiz Ribeiro Viotti. The visa revocation was triggered by a diplomatic dispute that has occurred between Washington and Brasilia in recent times.
A spokesperson for the US State Department, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Wednesday (5/8/2026), said the move was a retaliatory step by the US after Brazil refused to grant visas to two American diplomats and delayed approval of the ambassadorial candidate proposed by Washington.
“This is a reciprocal action. If the Ambassador leaves the country, she will have to reapply for a visa,” the US State Department spokesperson said.
“We have been communicating with the Brazilian government for weeks and have given them every opportunity to take the appropriate steps, but they have continued to delay and stall for time,” the spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson stressed that the visa cancellation is not equivalent to declaring the Brazilian Ambassador persona non grata (PNG). However, the spokesperson hinted that the US could take further steps.
Persona non grata is a diplomatic term indicating that an individual is no longer accepted in a country.
“This is not PNG status, although additional diplomatic options remain open if the Brazilian government continues to delay, or if they refuse, to grant agrément,” the US State Department spokesperson said, using the diplomatic term for official approval from a host country for a foreign ambassador or diplomat before they are formally appointed.
“President Trump has the right to determine who represents the American people and interests around the world… We reject any effort by a country to interfere in our domestic processes,” he asserted.
A Reuters report citing a senior US State Department official added that the Brazilian Ambassador’s visa would be restored if the diplomatic dispute is successfully resolved.
This situation is the latest development in a long-standing dispute between Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Trump administration has accused the Lula da Silva administration of censoring conservatives or siding against them in judicial processes.
Brazilian authorities reject what they view as US attempts to influence Latin American politics in favour of conservative interests.
Last month, Brazilian authorities refused to grant visas to US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, Riley Barnes, and Deputy Assistant Secretary Samuel Samson over concerns they could interfere in Brazil’s presidential election next October.
Washington rejected the accusations, explaining that the officials planned to discuss electoral integrity, religious freedom, and freedom of expression with Brazilian officials and civil society representatives.