Brazil denies visa requests from US officials ahead of upcoming October elections
Rio De Janeiro, July 26
Brazil has rejected visa applications from two US Department of State officials over concerns that their visit could support groups questioning Brazil's electoral system, local media reported.
The officials were Riley M. Barnes, assistant secretary from the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and Samuel Samson, deputy assistant secretary from the same bureau.
The two submitted their visa applications to the Brazilian government on July 20, planning to meet with presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, as well as officials from Brazil's Superior Electoral Court and right-wing figures, according to reports.
A spokesperson for Brazil's foreign office said Barnes and Samson requested visas on July 20 and they were denied Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazil will hold the first round of its presidential election on October 4, with a potential runoff scheduled for October 25, according to a schedule released by the Superior Electoral Court.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will bid for reelection against Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro.
Sen. Bolsonaro and his brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, visited US officials in Washington, including President Donald Trump, in late May. Shortly afterwards, the Trump administration designated Brazil's two largest drug-trafficking organisations.
The Trump administration also imposed tariff increases of up to 37.5 per cent on thousands of Brazilian exports. Washington said the measures were aimed at addressing what it described as unfair trade practices and Brazil's failure to curb forced labour. The Lula administration rejected both allegations, calling the tariffs an attempt to influence Brazil's political landscape in favour of Sen. Bolsonaro.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has for years fed concerns about the country's electronic voting system, without providing any evidence for his claims.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I get Brazil being protective of their democracy, but denying visas to US officials just for meeting with opposition? That seems a bit heavy-handed. Shouldn't democracies encourage free dialogue? Having said that, the US should also stop acting like they own the world.
Just look at the timing - Trump administration putting tariffs on Brazilian exports and then sending officials to meet with opposition leader's son? This is classic pressure tactics. Brazil is wise to block this. We've seen similar things happen in India too, foreigners trying to influence our elections. Hypocrisy of the US lecturing others on democracy while doing this!
I don't think Brazil should be so defensive. Meeting with opposition doesn't automatically mean interference. But the US also needs to stop acting like every country is their backyard. Both sides need to chill.
Very smart move by Brazil. The US is clearly trying to resurrect the Bolsonaro brand after his baseless claims about electronic voting. Lula is right to protect the process. Brazil's electoral system is one of the most advanced in the world - they don't need American "help". Proud to see a fellow BRICS nation standing up for its sovereignty! 🇮🇳🇧🇷
Interesting to see this dynamic - US trying to influence an election by supporting a candidate who questions the voting system. Reminds me of how external powers always try to exploit weak points in democracies. Brazil should be commended for taking a firm stance. But I hope Lula's government doesn't become too authoritarian in response.
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