The US administration has temporarily revoked the visa of Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Al Jazeera reported on August 5. The move comes amid growing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Brasilia. An unnamed US State Department official said Viotti would not be expelled from the United States and could remain in the country despite the visa action.

The report said Washington acted in response to Brazil’s decision to withhold approval for Danny Perez, the Trump administration’s nominee for US ambassador to Brazil. President Donald Trump nominated Perez in June, but he has not yet received full US Senate approval. Brazilian internal sources said the government viewed the public announcement of Perez’s nomination before formal contact with Brasilia as a breach of diplomatic protocol.

The US official said Viotti’s visa would be reinstated if Brazil approves Perez’s nomination. Without Brazil’s formal approval, Perez cannot take up ambassadorial duties in Brasilia. Last month, Brazil refused visas to officials from the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, citing concerns that the delegation could work to undermine Brazil’s electoral system.