The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on the wife of a Brazilian Supreme Court judge who led the investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup. The Trump administration also took action by revoking the U.S. visa of Brazilian Solicitor-General Jorge Messias, who criticized the decision on social media.
Viviane Barci de Moraes, the spouse of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, was sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act, a tool used by the U.S. to punish human rights abusers. Justice de Moraes was also previously sanctioned under the same act due to his oversight of the case against Bolsonaro.
This move is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration against Brazil, including sanctions on other officials and a 50% tariff on numerous Brazilian exports. Reports also indicate that other Supreme Court judges who have worked with de Moraes have had their U.S. visas revoked, a claim they haven’t confirmed personally. A holding company associated with the de Moraes family has also been sanctioned.
De Moraes stated that Brazilian institutions are robust and will not be affected by the actions taken by the Trump administration. He characterized the measures against his wife as an attack on international law, Brazil’s sovereignty, and the judiciary’s independence. The U.S. State Department’s justification for the sanctions was de Moraes’ alleged use of his position to manipulate the courts, implement pre-trial detention, and suppress freedom of expression.
The sanctions are based on the view that de Moraes is accountable for abusing his power, fostering censorship, targeting political opponents, and engaging in serious human rights violations.
Bolsonaro was found guilty of organizing a coup following his loss to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the 2022 elections. He has not yet been imprisoned pending the filing of an appeal.
Solicitor-General Messias has described the U.S. government’s actions as an unfair attack, vowing to continue working with determination. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha announced he would skip the upcoming United Nations General Assembly because the U.S. restricted his movements within the country through an unacceptable visa.
The Lula administration protested at the United Nations after Padilha received a late U.S. visa, limiting his movement in New York to a small area near the UN headquarters and his hotel. The Health Minister remained in Brazil and participated in anti-amnesty bill protests for Bolsonaro, who faces possible imprisonment.