Brazil Plans to Cancel Trump Advisor’s Visa in Diplomatic Spat

Brazil's government will cancel the visa of Darren Beattie, a Trump advisor recently appointed to monitor Brazil policy. The move comes after President Lula da Silva demanded the U.S. restore his health minister's revoked visa first.

Brazil’s government plans to cancel the visa of Darren Beattie, a recently appointed advisor to President Donald Trump who was selected to oversee U.S. policy regarding Brazil, according to a government source who spoke to Reuters on Friday.

The decision follows comments from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who indicated earlier Friday that Beattie would not be permitted to enter Brazil unless the United States first restores the visa of his Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, which American officials canceled last year.

Trump named Beattie, who has been critical of Brazil’s current administration, to the senior advisory position focused on shaping American policy toward Brazil just last month. The appointment highlights ongoing tensions between the two countries despite recent efforts to improve diplomatic ties.

Legal representatives for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently imprisoned, had petitioned the nation’s Supreme Court to permit Beattie to meet with their client during a planned visit to Brazil next week. However, Justice Alexandre de Moraes rejected the request on Thursday.

In his ruling, Justice de Moraes referenced correspondence from Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira indicating that the American official had only agreed to participate in a critical minerals conference and government meetings during his Brazilian visit.

Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, maintained close ties with Trump during their overlapping presidencies. He is currently imprisoned and serving a 27-year sentence for his role in attempting to orchestrate a coup against Lula, who succeeded him in office.

Speaking at a public event Friday, Lula addressed the situation directly: “That American guy who said he was coming here to visit Jair Bolsonaro was prohibited from visiting, and I forbade him from coming to Brazil until they release the visa for my health minister.”