US Sanctions Brazilian Judge’s Wife, Revokes Visas Amid Bolsonaro Case

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Viviane Barci de Moraes, wife of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the case that sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for orchestrating a coup attempt after his 2022 electoral defeat. The sanctions, enacted under the Global Magnitsky Act targeting human rights abusers, also extend to a de Moraes family holding company.

Additionally, the U.S. revoked the visa of Brazil's Solicitor-General Jorge Messias for his social media criticism of the decision. Local media reports indicate other judges associated with de Moraes have lost their U.S. visas, though unconfirmed individually. This escalation forms part of broader U.S. measures against Brazil, including 50% tariffs on many exports, amid strained bilateral relations.

De Moraes, in a statement, defended Brazil's institutions as "strong and sound," condemning the actions as violations of international law, national sovereignty, and judicial independence. The U.S. State Department accused de Moraes of weaponizing the judiciary, authorizing arbitrary detentions, and suppressing free expression, framing the sanctions as accountability for abusing authority and targeting political opponents.

Bolsonaro, a far-right leader defeated by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was convicted for inciting supporters to storm government buildings in January 2023, reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol riot. He remains free pending appeal and has not yet been imprisoned.

Messias described the visa revocation as an "unjust attack" but vowed to continue his duties undeterred. The tensions have impacted diplomatic engagements, with Brazil's Health Minister Alexandre Padilha opting out of the United Nations General Assembly in New York after receiving a restricted U.S. visa limiting his movement to U.N. headquarters and nearby areas.

Padilha protested the conditions as unacceptable, and the Lula administration raised the issue with the U.N. Instead, he participated in domestic protests against a proposed amnesty bill that could spare Bolsonaro from jail.

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These developments highlight deepening U.S.-Brazil friction under the Trump administration, contrasting with previous alliances during Bolsonaro's tenure. Critics argue the sanctions undermine judicial processes in Brazil, while supporters view them as defending democratic principles against perceived overreach. As Bolsonaro's appeal proceeds, the international fallout could influence Brazil's political landscape and trade dynamics, with potential repercussions for regional stability in Latin America.

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