Brazilian authorities rejected visa requests for two officials of the Trump administration, suspecting interference in the presidential elections in October.

Brazilian authorities rejected on Friday the visa requests submitted by two officials from the administration of American President Donald Trump, Riley M. Barnes and Samuel Samson, who were set to visit the country ahead of the presidential elections in October.

The decision was made amid suspicions that the visit could influence the electoral process, with authorities interpreting the American initiative as a potential threat to the credibility of the Brazilian electoral system.

The elections this fall will bring face to face the current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Recent polls indicate an advantage for Lula, while Flavio Bolsonaro's campaign benefits from the support of Argentina's president, Javier Milei.

The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on Brazil's refusal, and this situation could strain diplomatic relations between Washington and Brasilia in the context of the elections.