Brazil rejected visa applications from two senior US State Department officials, suspecting their visit was intended to influence the October presidential election, according to Washington Post and Reuters reports citing Brazilian sources.
Brazil rejected visa applications from two senior US State Department officials, suspecting the visit was intended to influence the country's October presidential election, according to reports from The Washington Post and Reuters that cited Brazilian sources.
The Zioneer first reported the denial earlier Saturday at 18:01 Jerusalem, based on initial reports. The new reports add detail on Brazil's motive: the government suspected the officials' visit was aimed at influencing the election rather than merely observing it.
The incident adds to recent diplomatic strains between the US and Brazil. Earlier this month, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira described remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio toward President Lula as unacceptable. President Lula has also said he expects President Trump not to interfere in the election, which pits left-wing incumbent Lula against Trump ally Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.
2 developments
- StrongBrazil's Lula says he expects Trump not to interfere in Brazil's presidential election
- DevelopingBrazil's Supreme Court bars Bolsonaro from receiving visits for 30 days
- DevelopingBrazil's FM Vieira: Rubio's remarks against Lula unacceptable, offended Brazil
- DevelopingBen Gvir says he canceled personal US trip, accuses 'leftist media' of harassment
Source and signal
- Open-source intake