The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, in a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two countries, according to a US State Department official.

The official said the decision could be reversed if Brazil approves President Donald Trump’s nominee, Daniel Perez, as the next US ambassador to Brasilia. Perez was nominated in June but cannot assume the role until the Brazilian government grants its approval.

According to the State Department, Washington expects Brazil to provide a “prompt and positive” response to the nomination request. However, officials clarified that Viotti has not been declared persona non grata and is not being asked to leave the United States.

Brazil swiftly condemned the move. In a statement, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s office described the visa revocation as “a deliberate escalation of hostile measures” driven by ideological motives.

The diplomatic dispute comes ahead of Brazil’s presidential election in October, where President Lula is seeking re-election against right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro.

The latest row follows Brazil’s recent refusal to grant visas to two US officials who planned to meet election authorities and discuss issues including election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression. Brazilian officials reportedly cited concerns that the visit could be politically exploited.

The US rejected suggestions that the visit was intended to interfere in Brazil’s democratic process, describing such claims as baseless.

Political tensions have also intensified after Flavio Bolsonaro renewed allegations that Brazil’s electronic voting system is insecure, echoing claims previously made by his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro. The elder Bolsonaro was barred from seeking office in 2023 after making similar allegations and was later convicted over a coup plot following his 2022 election defeat. He is currently serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest.