Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Aug 5: The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil's Ambassador to the US, Maria Luiza Viotti, amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries, according to US media reports.

A senior US State Department official said the move was in response to Brazil's decision last month to deny visas to two US diplomats and its continued withholding of approval for the Trump administration's nominee for US Ambassador to Brazil.

US President Donald Trump had nominated Daniel Perez as ambassador to Brazil in early June. However, his appointment is yet to be confirmed by the US Senate, and he cannot assume office until the Brazilian government grants its approval.

The State Department official said Ambassador Viotti's visa would be reinstated if the diplomatic impasse is resolved.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry confirmed the US action to local broadcaster Globonews, stating that Viotti was in Brazil when she was informed of the visa revocation.

The latest development comes amid growing strain in bilateral ties. In recent weeks, Washington imposed fresh visa restrictions on Brazilian officials and criticised rulings of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court in connection with high-profile judicial investigations.

Trade relations have also deteriorated, with the US announcing fresh tariffs on Brazilian products. Brazil has maintained that it will safeguard its interests through diplomatic engagement and, if necessary, pursue remedies under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The dispute intensified in July after Brazil rejected visa applications from two US State Department officials — Riley M. Barnes, Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and Samuel Samson, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the same bureau.

According to reports, the two officials had sought visas on July 20 to visit Brazil for meetings with presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, as well as members of Brazil's Superior Electoral Court and other right-wing political figures. Brazil's foreign ministry confirmed that both visa requests were denied.

Separately, the Trump administration imposed tariff hikes of up to 37.5 per cent on thousands of Brazilian exports, alleging unfair trade practices and Brazil's failure to curb forced labour. The administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva rejected the allegations, describing the tariffs as an attempt to influence Brazil's domestic political landscape.