Brazil’s Foreign Ministry has refused visas to two U.S. State Department officials. This development marks the latest exchange in ongoing political clashes between the two nations. The Washington Post revealed that the Brazilian government accused the officials, Riley M. Barnes and Samuel Samson, of intending to cast doubt on Brazil’s upcoming October elections.
A spokesperson for Brazil’s foreign office confirmed that Barnes and Samson applied for visas on July 20, and these were denied the following Friday. The exact reasons for the decision were not disclosed.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is campaigning for reelection against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The Bolsonaro family maintains ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Flávio Bolsonaro and his brother Eduardo visited Washington in late May, meeting with President Trump and other officials. Shortly after their visit, the Trump administration labeled Brazil’s largest drug-trafficking groups as terrorist organizations — a designation opposed by Lula.
Additionally, the U.S. imposed a tariff increase of up to 37.5% on numerous Brazilian exports, which took effect recently. This move is based on claims of unfair competition and labor practices in Brazil, which Lula’s administration has dismissed as politically motivated.
The U.S. State Department said Barnes and Samson intended to visit Brasilia from July 27-30. Their planned meetings included discussions with government and religious leaders on election integrity, religious freedom, and freedom of expression. The department refuted any claims suggesting a plot to interfere in Brazil’s elections, referring to such accusations as baseless.
Meanwhile, former President Jair Bolsonaro has faced criticism for questioning Brazil’s electronic voting system. Despite serving home detention for an attempted coup, he continues to assert that the voting machines are susceptible to fraud. Senator Bolsonaro, his son, has echoed some of these unfounded claims but avoided this topic during his campaign launch with the Liberal Party.