In a significant diplomatic move, Washington has announced plans to restrict travel visas for Brazilian judicial officials and their immediate family members, following allegations of a politically motivated campaign against former President Jair Bolsonaro.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on Friday, denouncing what he termed a “political witch-hunt” organized by Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Rubio accused Moraes of fostering a “persecution and censorship complex” that infringes upon the basic rights of Brazilians and purportedly extends its reach to target Americans.
As a consequence, Rubio stated that he has revoked visas for Moraes and his Supreme Court allies, as well as for their families, effective immediately, although he did not provide further clarification on the extent of the measures.
Current Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva responded sharply to the US decision, labeling it as “arbitrary” and “baseless.” He emphasized that the move undermines the principles of mutual respect and national sovereignty that should govern international relations.
“I am certain that no form of intimidation or threat, from anyone, will compromise the most important mission of Brazil’s powers and institutions, which is to permanently defend and uphold the democratic rule of law,” Lula stated in an official release.
Adding to the tension, Brazilian media outlet O Globo reported that the US had rescinded visas for seven additional justices of Brazil’s Supreme Court. If accurate, this means the only justices not affected by the US actions are those appointed by Bolsonaro himself, namely Andre Mendonca, Nunes Marques, and Luiz Fux.
This escalation occurred shortly after Brazil’s Supreme Court issued search warrants and restraining orders against Bolsonaro, who is facing allegations concerning his interactions with officials in Washington during his presidency.
Justice Moraes specifically accused Bolsonaro of undermining Brazil’s sovereignty by allegedly encouraging interference from the “head of state of a foreign nation” in national judicial matters.
Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil’s president from 2019 to 2023, is currently on trial for charges related to attempting a coup by contesting Lula’s electoral victory in January of this year.
These coup charges carry significant consequences, including a potential 12-year prison sentence, and if found guilty of other related offenses, Bolsonaro faces the possibility of spending decades behind bars.
To ensure compliance with court orders, Bolsonaro is now prohibited from contacting foreign officials, utilizing social media, or interfacing with embassies.
Additionally, he has been restricted from reaching out to key allies, including his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been actively seeking support for his father in Washington.
Federal authorities have also conducted raids on Bolsonaro’s residences, resulting in a court order mandating him to wear an ankle monitor after it was determined there was a “concrete possibility” of him attempting to flee Brazil.
Addressing supporters on Friday, Bolsonaro referred to Justice Moraes as a “dictator” and labeled the court’s recent actions as manifestations of “cowardice.”
Expressing his sentiments, he stated, “I feel supreme humiliation,” while also reflecting on his previous role as president amidst the current legal challenges he faces.
Despite being under scrutiny, Bolsonaro expressed a willingness to meet with President Donald Trump, provided the authorities return his passport, which was confiscated last year.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly responded to Bolsonaro’s remarks by stating that he and his supporters are being “attacked by a weaponized court system.”
Since Bolsonaro’s presidency, which was marked by strong ideological alignment with Trump, the former Brazilian leader has been affectionately dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics.”
In a show of support, Trump took to social media to share a letter he had written to Bolsonaro, lamenting what he described as the former president’s “terrible treatment” at the hands of an “unjust system turned against you.”
Notably, Trump recently threatened imposing a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports starting in August, urging Lula’s administration to abandon the charges against Bolsonaro.
In response to such threats, Lula has vowed to reciprocate any unfair trade measures, stating that unilateral tariffs would invoke Brazil’s Law of Economic Reciprocity.
As the conflict escalates, Moraes has also suggested that Trump’s proposed tariffs are a direct attempt to interfere in Brazil’s judiciary by instigating an economic crisis, further consolidating public support for Lula’s leftist government.
image source from：aljazeera
