Brazil's Lula warns against foreign interference after US visa move

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday warned that his government would not accept foreign interference in the country's Oct. 4 general election while strongly condemning Washington's decision to revoke the visa of Brazil's ambassador to the United States. Speaking to the Brazilian digital media outlet Meteoro Brasil, Lula criticized Washington's move targeting Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti. "We want to be treated with respect," he said, calling the US action "irresponsible and reckless."

Diplomatic freeze

Lula announced a freeze on receiving foreign ambassadors until after the October vote. "Only after the election will I receive an ambassador from any country in the world," he said. He warned that "no one should think they can interfere from the outside to influence our elections," telling external actors to meddle elsewhere rather than in Brazil.

Electoral system defended

The Brazilian leader defended his country's electronic voting machines against external criticism, stating that "instead of questioning our voting machines, they should copy our system." He suggested Washington should ask Brasília to bring the machines so the US could hold an electronic election and "see we are at the forefront of electoral modernity."

The US revoked Viotti's visa citing reciprocity after Brazil denied entry last month to two American diplomats and delayed consideration of US President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Brasília until after the vote. Washington has denied allegations of intended electoral interference, saying the diplomats planned to discuss election integrity, religious freedom and freedom of expression.