Trump administration revokes Brazilian ambassador’s visa in diplomatic dispute

The Trump administration revoked the visa of Brazil’s U.S. ambassador Tuesday — the latest jab in a monthslong diplomatic spat between the two countries.

The Trump administration revoked the visa of Brazil’s U.S. ambassador Tuesday — the latest jab in a monthslong diplomatic spat between the two countries.

The U.S. action was taken in retaliation for Brazil’s withholding formal approval for the Trump administration’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Brazil, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, a senior State Department official told reporters Tuesday.

The official, who spoke on behalf of the State Department on condition of anonymity, said Brazil has indicated the approval is likely to be delayed until after its election in October.

The Brazilian government said it repudiates the visa revocation of their ambassador, calling both justifications from the U.S. “false,” and noted that the U.S. request remains under review.

“It should be recalled that individual sanctions against Brazilian officials remain in force, notably the cancellation of U.S. visas based on the unfounded allegation that former President Bolsonaro is being subjected to political persecution,” the office of the president of Brazil said in a statement. “Those affected include Supreme Court justices and senior members of the Executive Branch.”