Visa War: U.S. Hits Brazilian Justices Amid Bolsonaro Trial Fallout

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced new visa restrictions targeting Brazilian judicial officials and their immediate families, citing what he described as a politically motivated campaign against former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Rubio made the announcement on Friday, accusing Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes of orchestrating a broad campaign of “persecution and censorship.”

According to him, it allegedly undermines fundamental rights, both within Brazil and abroad.

Rubio claimed that the actions of Moraes and his colleagues on the court violate civil liberties and have extended beyond Brazil’s borders, affecting American citizens.

“As a result, I have ordered the revocation of U.S. visas for Justice Moraes, his allies on the court, and their immediate families, effective immediately,” he stated.

Although he did not identify the specific individuals targeted by the policy.

The announcement has drawn swift condemnation from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Silva on Saturday, denounced the U.S. move as unjustified and a violation of Brazil’s sovereignty.

Calling it “arbitrary” and “without basis,” Lula emphasized that Brazil’s institutions remain committed to defending the rule of law.

“No threat or pressure will undermine our institutions’ mission to uphold democracy and justice,” he declared.

Brazilian media outlet O Globo reported that as many as seven Supreme Court justices may be affected by the U.S. visa revocations.

If accurate, the only justices exempt would be Bolsonaro appointees Andre Mendonca, Nunes Marques, and Judge Luiz Fux.

This diplomatic tension follows a ruling by Brazil’s Supreme Court on Friday that imposed restrictions on Bolsonaro.

The ruling barred him from contacting foreign officials or key political allies, including his son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro.

The court’s decision stems from allegations that Bolsonaro attempted to involve former U.S. President Donald Trump in efforts to obstruct legal proceedings against him.

Justice Moraes accused Bolsonaro of jeopardizing Brazil’s national sovereignty by seeking external interference in the country’s judicial matters.

Bolsonaro, who served as president from 2019 to 2023, is currently on trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup following his defeat to Lula in the 2023 presidential election.

If found guilty, Bolsonaro faces a potential 12-year sentence for the coup charges, in addition to several other allegations that could lead to further jail time.

Federal authorities have intensified their scrutiny of Bolsonaro, executing search warrants on his residence and party offices.

A court has also mandated that the former president wear an ankle monitor, citing concerns he may attempt to flee the country.

Speaking from his party headquarters, Bolsonaro lashed out at the ruling, labeling Moraes a “dictator” and denouncing the legal actions against him as cowardly and humiliating.

“I feel deeply humiliated,” Bolsonaro told reporters, expressing dismay over being forced to wear an ankle monitor at his age and after serving as president.

The Brazilian Supreme Court’s five-member panel later upheld Moraes’s decision, reaffirming the restrictions on Bolsonaro.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro suggested the latest legal moves were in response to Trump’s recent show of support.

His comments hint that U.S. involvement might be worsening his legal situation rather than alleviating it.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly weighed in, characterizing Bolsonaro and his supporters as victims of a “weaponized judicial system.”

Former President Trump, who maintains close ideological ties with Bolsonaro, often dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics”, has also publicly expressed sympathy.

On Thursday, Trump shared a letter via his Truth Social platform condemning what he called the unjust treatment of Bolsonaro by Brazil’s legal system.

Tensions between Washington and Brasília escalated further after Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods beginning August 1, demanding that Lula’s government drop charges against Bolsonaro.

In response, Lula vowed to invoke Brazil’s Law of Economic Reciprocity to retaliate against any unilateral trade measures.

In his court ruling, Moraes interpreted Trump’s tariff threat as an overt attempt to influence Brazil’s judiciary by destabilizing its economy.

The proposed tariffs, which would significantly impact vital Brazilian industries such as agriculture and aviation, have bolstered domestic support for Lula’s government as it stands firm in the face of external pressure.

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