U.S. Sanctions Brazilian Justice’s Wife and Revokes Visa of Solicitor-General Amid Tensions
The United States has imposed sanctions on Viviane Barci de Moraes, the spouse of a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, under the Global Magnitsky Act. This move comes as Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who led the investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro, faces similar sanctions. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison earlier this month for his role in an attempted coup following his 2022 electoral defeat.
In a related action, the U.S. government has revoked the visa of Brazil’s Solicitor-General Jorge Messias. Messias, who voiced his disapproval on social media, described the revocation as an “unjust attack” but pledged to continue his work with dedication.
Justice de Moraes responded to the sanctions by asserting that Brazilian institutions remain robust. He criticized the U.S. measures, stating they undermine international law, Brazil’s sovereignty, and judicial independence. A family holding company associated with de Moraes has also been targeted under the Magnitsky Act.
The U.S. State Department justified the sanctions by accusing de Moraes of leveraging his judicial position to suppress freedoms and target political adversaries. The actions form part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to hold de Moraes accountable for alleged abuses of power and human rights violations.
Local reports suggest other judges associated with de Moraes might have faced similar visa revocations, though these claims remain unconfirmed. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Health Minister Alexandre Padilha opted out of attending the United Nations General Assembly due to visa limitations imposed by the U.S., which confined his movements to specific areas in New York City.
The Lula administration has lodged a protest with the United Nations regarding the visa restrictions. Padilha participated in domestic protests opposing a potential amnesty bill for Bolsonaro, which could spare him a prison sentence.
For continuous updates on this developing story and other news from Latin America, visit AP’s Latin America coverage.
