Brazil blocked visas for two senior U.S. State Department officials, preventing a planned visit over concerns they intended to question the security of Brazil's electronic voting system ahead of the October presidential election.

Brazilian officials believed the trip could undermine public confidence in the country's elections, while the U.S. State Department denied that claim, saying the visit was meant to discuss election integrity, religious freedom, and free speech.

The U.S. officials also planned to meet with presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, who has repeated disputed claims about election fraud.

Source: NYT