Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acting on behalf of President Trump’s administration, has revoked the U.S. visa of Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, along with members of his court and their immediate families. Rubio cited de Moraes’s handling of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s prosecution and social media restrictions as evidence of a “political witch hunt” .
De Moraes recently ordered Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor, barred him from using social platforms like X, and imposed restrictions on contacting foreign diplomats amid his alleged coup plot charges. Rubio said these judicial actions violated “basic rights” and “extended beyond Brazil’s shores to target Americans”.
This decision follows President Trump’s recent threats of up to 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports in protest over Bolsonaro’s legal situation. Rubio emphasized consistency with Trump’s support for Bolsonaro, who he called “a good man who loves the Brazilian people”.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva responded forcefully, dismissing the visa revocations as “arbitrary” and an infringement on Brazilian sovereignty.
Why This Matters
The move escalates tensions between the two countries, raising questions about diplomatic norms and external pressure in judicial affairs. De Moraes is a central figure in Brazil’s crackdown on disinformation and coup-related conspiracies, and has drawn criticism from Elon Musk and Bolsonaro supporters.
Brazil’s Supreme Court also recently issued search warrants and travel restrictions for Bolsonaro, accusing him of seeking Trump’s backing to influence his trial—a move de Moraes defended as preserving judicial sovereignty.
This is the latest flashpoint in a budding geopolitical standoff, combining trade threats, judicial controversy, and freedom of information conflicts. With tensions rising, further U.S. retaliation—such as sanctions under the Magnitsky Act—remains possible.
This latest diplomatic action is likely to escalate tensions between Brazil and the United States. Bolsonaro, who is currently under multiple investigations in Brazil, has maintained his innocence and accuses de Moraes and other officials of orchestrating a politically motivated crackdown.
Analysts say the visa cancellation could prompt a broader debate in Washington about how far U.S. policymakers should go in holding foreign officials accountable for censorship and human rights issues—especially when American platforms and citizens are directly affected.
