U.S. Sanctions Brazilian Supreme Court Judge

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Brasília/Washington – The United States Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Justice Alexandre de Moraes of Brazil’s Supreme Court, accusing him of spearheading a crackdown on political dissent tied to the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The announcement, made Wednesday, described de Moraes as responsible for an “oppressive campaign of censorship,” which includes arbitrary detentions and politically motivated prosecutions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that de Moraes’ actions directly violate human rights and undermine democratic principles.

Justice de Moraes currently presides over Bolsonaro’s high-profile trial, where the former right-wing leader faces charges for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2022 presidential election after his defeat by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Reacting strongly, President Lula denounced the sanctions as “unacceptable interference in Brazilian justice” and declared full solidarity with Justice de Moraes. On social media, Lula warned that the U.S. was responding to lobbying efforts by Brazilian political figures who “betray national sovereignty for their own interests.”

While not naming Bolsonaro directly, Lula emphasized that “external pressure cannot be allowed to influence Brazil’s democratic institutions or its judiciary.”

The sanctions follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, which he explicitly tied to Bolsonaro’s prosecution. Trump has characterized the Brazilian proceedings as a politically driven “witch hunt,” likening them to his own legal battles.

On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order activating the tariffs, citing Brazil’s “hostile policies and practices” as a threat to U.S. national security and economic interests.

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