President Lula told a Workers' Party congress in São Paulo on July 25 that any
attempt by external actors to interfere in Brazil's election "will pay a heavy
price," stressing sovereignty and that voters will decide the country's fate.
The government on July 24 denied visas to U.S. State Department Assistant
Secretary Riley M. Barnes and Assistant Deputy Secretary Samuel Samson, giving
no reason; the two had reportedly questioned the fairness and reliability of
Brazil's electoral system. The U.S. State Department had no immediate comment.
Brazil's presidential election begins in October.
