STORY-TRÅD·politik

Brazil condemns US decision to revoke ambassador’s visa

The Brazilian government condemned the revocation of the visa of its ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, announced on Tuesday (Aug. 4). The US government justified the measure by citing Brazil’s delay in granting agrément to the Trump administration’s nominee to head the US Embassy in Brazil. Brazil refuted the allegations, stating they were false. Notícias relacionadas:Brazil says US tariffs violate WTO rules.Tariff hike: Brazil files WTO complaint against US measures.Brazilian companies hit by US tariff hike to have BRL 18.5B in aid.“The Brazilian government condemns the decision announced today by the US State Department to change the visa status of Brazil’s ambassador in Washington. Both justifications are false.” In a statement released by the government’s Communications Secretariat, Brazil asserted that the US violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by disclosing the name of its nominee to head the US Embassy in Brazil. According to the government, the nominee’s name could only be made public after the host country had granted agrément. The US request, the statement adds, is still under review, and “the Vienna Convention does not stipulate a deadline for granting agrément.” “Hostile measures” The Brazilian government also cited the denial of entry to two US government officials, saying the measure was justified because the purpose of their visit was to cast doubt on Brazil’s electoral system. “It is also obvious that there is an unwarranted interest in interfering in the upcoming presidential election.” The statement asserts that the revocation of the ambassador’s visa is part of a “deliberate escalation of hostile measures” against Brazil. “This decision is not an isolated incident. It is part of a deliberate escalation of hostile measures against Brazil, motivated by ideological considerations incompatible with a bilateral partnership that has always been guided by mutual respect.” The Planalto presidential palace noted that Brazilian officials, including government officials and justices of the Supreme Court, remain subject to sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, imposed by the US government in retaliation for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction for attempting a coup d’état. It also emphasized that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been working to foster understanding between the two countries. “The Brazilian government has spared no effort to resolve these differences. During his visit to Washington last May, President Lula himself asked President Trump, among other things, to lift the individual sanctions.”