U.S. annuls visa of Brazil's ambassador over diplomatic dispute with Lula's government
The administration of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned the decision by the United States to revoke the visa of Brazil's ambassador in Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.
"Today's decision <...> is yet another hostile measure by the U.S. toward Brazil. It is clearly driven by ideological motives that are incompatible with a bilateral partnership based on mutual respect," the press service of the Brazilian leader said in a statement.
The president's administration also called the justifications presented by Washington for annulling the visa of the head of the diplomatic mission false. The Brazilian authorities also accused the White House of intending to influence the domestic political situation in the republic. "The interest [of the United States] in interfering in the upcoming presidential elections in Brazil is becoming completely evident," the document notes.
According to the Reuters agency, the measure by the American administration was a response to an alleged delay by the Brazilian authorities in granting agrément to the U.S. ambassador to Brazil. The American foreign policy department is ready to restore the visa of the Brazilian ambassador if Brasília grants agrément to the new head of the U.S. diplomatic mission. The candidacy of Daniel Perez was put forward by the American administration on June 1.
