Brazil has rejected visa applications from two senior US State Department officials who intended to visit the country to cast doubt on the reliability of its election system, according to Washington Post and Reuters, citing two Brazilian sources. The American plan was perceived as an attempt to influence the October presidential election, pitting incumbent left-wing President Lula da Silva against Trump ally Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.
Brazil's decision to deny visa applications from two senior US State Department officials marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries ahead of the October presidential election. The officials had planned to visit Brazil to raise questions about the reliability of the country's election system, according to Washington Post and Reuters, citing two Brazilian sources. The American plan was reportedly perceived by Brazilian authorities as an attempt to interfere in the election, in which left-wing incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva faces right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, an ally of former President Donald Trump. The Zioneer has previously reported on Bolsonaro's campaign, including his pledge to move Brazil's embassy to Jerusalem. The US State Department has not yet publicly commented on the visa rejections.
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