It is likely that diplomat Maria Luiza Viotti will be the new ambassador of Brazil in Washington, United States, one of the most coveted and important positions in Brazilian diplomacy.
The position was opened last week when Nelson Foster, appointed by former president Jair Bolsonaro, was removed from office, which is essential for the Lula government, seeking to strengthen ties with the Biden administration.
Viotti, who served as chief of staff to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from 2016 to 2021, is a high-level diplomat who was also Brazil’s ambassador to the United Nations and then to Germany.
Her appointment was accepted on Monday (30) by the United States government and will now be submitted for consideration by the Brazilian Federal Senate, as mandated by the Brazilian Constitution.
If appointed, she will be the first woman to lead the Brazilian Embassy in the United States.
The Lula government is making an effort to include more women in high diplomatic positions. Ambassador Maria Laura da Rocha has taken on the role of Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the second most important position in Brazilian diplomacy. She is the first woman to hold the position. A woman is also being considered for the embassy in Argentina.