Brazil denies visas for two US officials seeking election talks, source says

Brazil denied visas for two United States officials who wanted to meet Brazilian election authorities less than three months before a tense presidential vote, a Brazilian diplomatic source said Saturday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the decision was linked to a “risk of political exploitation.” The source said the US request was filed on July 20 and that the two officials hoped to discuss issues of freedom of expression related to the elections with local authorities.

The source said the timing drew attention because the request came on the same day that right-wing candidate Flavio Bolsonaro held a private meeting with foreign diplomats. During that meeting, he reportedly questioned the reliability of Brazil’s electronic voting system.

Flavio Bolsonaro had renewed unfounded claims this week that Brazil’s electronic voting system is insecure. US President Donald Trump has also continued to press falsehoods about American elections.

Flavio Bolsonaro’s father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, was barred by electoral authorities in 2023 from running for office after raising similar claims the previous year while he was president. He was later convicted of plotting a coup after his 2022 election loss and is serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.