The United States Ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd, responded this Wednesday to Senator Daniel Núñez (PC) and denied that Washington had rejected a visa request from the parliamentarian to travel to New York. The communist parliamentarian had intended to participate in a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York, in a slot that initially belonged to Senator Francisco Huenchumilla (DC), who withdrew from attending for personal reasons, after which the invitation was extended to the communist legislator. Through his X account, the diplomat reacted to the accusations made by Núñez, stating that "when this post was brought to my attention, I thought it was a joke. But then I began to read press reports that did not verify at all the veracity of the accusation. It was not a joke but a blatant lie."
Judd directly questioned the version circulated about what happened with the parliamentarian's visa: "The United States government does not comment on individual visa cases. However, when such obvious falsehoods are spread about us, we respond with the facts: The United States never had the opportunity to grant or deny a visa because it never received an application. I am sure that Mr. Núñez knows this," he stated.
The ambassador's response came after Núñez maintained that it was up to the U.S. representation to explain why he could not obtain the document and pointed to possible political motivations. "I believe the embassy has to give the explanations. But for a month now there have been harsh statements from the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, regarding the entry of people associated with the left. Therefore, we will request an institutional statement from the Senate, because here I see political reasons," the parliamentarian said.
According to Judd, "there is nothing more behind this. They are simply more lies intended to fuel rejection of the United States. I will always accept with respect criticism based on the truth. But this is not the case."
The ambassador also noted that the United States receives, during UN meetings, politicians and diplomats from across the political spectrum, "including communist representatives." "That is precisely what happened this year. I must believe that Mr. @daniel_nunez_a knows this, which makes this lie even more serious," he concluded.
When this post was brought to my attention, I thought it was a joke. But then I began to read press reports that did not verify at all the veracity of the accusation. It was not a joke but a blatant lie. The United States government does not comment on individual cases… https://t.co/PnqjuqwkMV
— U. S. Ambassador to Chile (@USAmbCL) September 30, 2026
During this session, Senator Yasna Provoste (DC), as head of the committee that includes the PC, asked the Senate leadership to gather the background information on the case, including whether the visa application was actually submitted to the United States Embassy, on what date, and whether there was a formal denial. Senator Iván Moreira, who at that time presided over the Upper Chamber's leadership, accepted the request and assured that the information will be gathered "quickly."