SAO PAULO — Brazil has denied visas to two U.S. officials who planned to meet with election authorities less than three months before the country’s presidential election, a diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday.
The Brazilian source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the visas were denied because of concerns over the “risk of political exploitation.”
The decision came after right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro repeated claims this week that Brazil’s electronic voting system is unreliable. Brazilian election authorities have consistently defended the security of the country’s electronic voting system.
According to the source, the United States submitted the visa request on July 20, seeking permission for the officials to discuss issues related to freedom of expression during the election with Brazilian authorities.
The source said the request drew attention because it was submitted the same day Flavio Bolsonaro reportedly met with foreign diplomats and questioned the reliability of Brazil’s electronic voting system.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told AFP the officials planned to visit Brasília from July 27 to 30 to discuss election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression with government officials, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
“Any insinuation of a ‘ploy’ to undermine a democratic nation’s election is a baseless lie,” the spokesperson said. “This was a routine visit.”
Former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio Bolsonaro’s father, was barred from seeking public office in 2023 after Brazil’s electoral court ruled that he had abused his office by making unfounded claims about the country’s voting system.
He was later convicted of plotting a coup following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election and is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest.
