The US grants Padilha a visa to accompany Lula to the UN General Assembly.
The visa was granted after weeks of speculation about cancellations linked to the Mais Médicos program.
247 - Health Minister Alexandre Padilha received a US visa on Thursday (18) to travel to New York and join President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's (PT) delegation at the UN General Assembly. According to the newspaper The GlobeThe renewal request had been made on August 18th, after the document expired in 2024.
In addition to accompanying Lula at the opening of the Assembly, Padilha is expected to participate in parallel events, including a conference of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Repercussions and statements from the minister
When questioned by journalists about the delay, Padilha said he wasn't worried about the process. "This visa thing is like that song, 'I don't care'. You guys are more worried about the visa than I am. I don't care at all," he stated.
He also criticized opponents who, according to him, use the issue as a political tool. “Only those who want to leave Brazil, or those who want to go there to lobby for treason, as some are doing, are worried about the visa. It's not in my interest, okay?” he said, referring to Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), son of Jair Bolsonaro (PL), who has been working with US authorities to impose sanctions on Brazil, as well as members of the Supreme Federal Court and members of Lula's government.
Previous cancellations have generated diplomatic tension.
Last month, the visas of Padilha's wife and 10-year-old daughter were canceled by the U.S. government, as were those of former employees linked to the Mais Médicos program. According to the White House, Cuban doctors who worked in Brazil were allegedly subjected to conditions analogous to slavery.
Brazilian Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski also had his visa revoked amid sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump due to the Supreme Federal Court's (STF) trial of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the criminal case concerning the planning of a coup d'état. The former president was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison. Only this week was Lewandowski's visa reinstated by the United States to participate in the UN General Assembly.
US obligation to grant visas for the UN.
A 1947 treaty prevents American authorities from refusing entry to representatives of member countries when it comes to official UN engagements. This measure guarantees Lewandowski's participation, who initially faced obstacles in obtaining clearance. The agreement signed between the UN and the US government obligates the US to grant visas "free of charge and as quickly as possible" to all official delegations participating in meetings at the United Nations.
