Daniel Perez, the U.S. ambassador nominee to Brazil, said he will not involve himself in the country's presidential election this October.
The statement aims to ease diplomatic tensions as Brazil considers whether to formally approve the appointment of the Republican politician.
Speaking to a local television station in Miami, Perez said there would be no involvement in the electoral process. He said it is up to Brazilians to decide their own leadership, and that he intends to work with whoever emerges as the winner [1].
Perez was nominated by Donald Trump to lead the U.S. diplomatic mission in Brasília. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination on July 7, 2026 [2]. Despite this legislative approval in Washington, his formal appointment remains pending at the Palácio do Planalto in Brasília [3].
Reports from Reuters on July 30, 2026, indicated that the Brazilian government has held back the final approval of the nominee [3]. This delay creates a period where the U.S. could remain without a formal representative in the country leading up to the election cycle.
Perez said that as a diplomat, he must respect the sovereignty of the host country. He said the decision regarding who governs Brazil belongs solely to its citizens [1].
The nominee's commitment to neutrality comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over foreign influence in Latin American politics. By explicitly stating he will work with any victor, Perez seeks to signal a professional approach to bilateral relations, regardless of the political alignment of the next Brazilian administration [1].
“"cabe aos brasileiros decidir"”
The delay in Brazil's formal approval of Daniel Perez reflects the delicate diplomatic balancing act between the current Brazilian administration and the U.S. political apparatus. By pledging neutrality, Perez is attempting to remove political friction that could otherwise block his appointment, ensuring that U.S. interests are represented in Brazil regardless of the election outcome.
