Washington Revokes Brazilian Ambassador's Visa, Weighs Sanctions as Flávio Bolsonaro Polls Within 3 Points of Lula
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Aug 20
Washington Revokes Brazilian Ambassador's Visa, Weighs Sanctions as Flávio Bolsonaro Polls Within 3 Points of Lula
1 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Aug 20
Summary
Washington has revoked the Brazilian ambassador’s visa and is considering new sanctions against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, escalating a dispute less than two months before Brazil’s election.
The pressure campaign follows July U.S. tariffs on hundreds of Brazilian goods and Brazil’s refusal of visas to two U.S. officials it said might interfere in the vote.
Flávio Bolsonaro formally launched his presidential bid on Sunday, aiming to defeat Lula and eventually pardon his father Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest.
Polling suggests a tight race: a Quaest survey put Lula at 43% and Flávio at 40% in a runoff, while BTG/Nexus showed Lula leading 47% to 44%.
Analysts say Trump wants a Bolsonaro ally back in charge to pull Brazil closer to Washington and away from China, but overt U.S. backing could strengthen Lula’s sovereignty message and backfire with voters.