US Sanctions Brazilian Judge Over Bolsonaro Case, Imposes Tariffs on Brazil

 

The United States has imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act, which targets foreign individuals involved in human rights abuses or corruption. Moraes is currently overseeing the criminal case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results. The U.S. accuses Moraes of engaging in arbitrary detentions, censorship, and politically motivated prosecutions.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Moraes was conducting an "oppressive campaign" that violated basic freedoms. As a result of the sanctions, all of Moraes’ assets in the U.S. will be frozen, and American individuals and companies are barred from doing business with him.

Moraes has not commented publicly, but the broader Brazilian Supreme Court has defended his actions. Fellow Justice Flavio Dino expressed support for Moraes, calling his work lawful and constitutional.

The Biden administration had previously warned about taking action, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating in June that sanctions were being considered. The U.S. has also imposed visa restrictions on Moraes, his family, and other unnamed Brazilian court officials.

In response, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the sanctions, calling them unjustified and a violation of Brazil’s sovereignty. His administration labeled the U.S. actions as foreign interference and pledged full support for Moraes.

Legal scholars in Brazil predict that these actions may backfire, prompting the Supreme Court to stand more firmly against outside pressure. Many see this move as a political statement from Washington at a sensitive time for Brazil’s democratic institutions.

On the same day as the sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. Trump said the move was meant to protest the legal actions against his political ally Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for allegedly attempting to overturn Brazil’s 2022 presidential election.

Trump described the case against Bolsonaro as a “witch hunt” and framed the tariffs as a necessary step to resist what he called an abuse of justice. Moraes had recently ordered Bolsonaro to wear an ankle bracelet, cut off ties with foreign officials, and stop using social media  measures seen as highly restrictive. Bolsonaro called Moraes a “dictator” and said the court orders were cowardly and unjustified. He denies being part of any coup attempt but admits attending meetings discussing how to challenge the election outcome.

Brazil’s current left-leaning government has strongly pushed back. President Lula called the tariffs and sanctions an “arbitrary” and “unacceptable” form of foreign interference. Gleisi Hoffmann, a senior member of Lula’s cabinet, called the new U.S. measures arrogant and violent.

Experts are divided on the practical effects of Trump’s actions. Some say the tariffs could be used as political leverage, possibly reversed depending on future developments. Others note that the Magnitsky Act is focused on human rights and may not directly justify economic penalties like tariffs, which are usually tied to trade imbalances.

Despite the tension, Brazil actually runs a trade surplus with the U.S., making the situation unusual. Analysts warn that the move may deepen diplomatic rifts and could provoke a more nationalistic response from Brazil’s judiciary, potentially complicating the Bolsonaro case and future U.S.-Brazil relations.

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