U.S. Targets Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes with Sanctions

The United States took a dramatic step by imposing sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of stifling free speech and ordering unfair detentions.

These sanctions, part of the Global Magnitsky Act, go after foreign officials tied to human rights abuses or corruption. The move has stirred up serious tension between the U.S. and Brazil, as Moraes is overseeing the explosive case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who’s charged with trying to stage a coup after losing the 2022 election.

The U.S. Treasury Department, led by Secretary Scott Bessent, called out Moraes for what it described as a “crackdown on free expression” and “politically driven prosecutions,” particularly aimed at Bolsonaro, a close friend of U.S. President Donald Trump. 

• U.S. Sanctions Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes Over Free Speech Crackdown
• Trump Administration Hits Brazil’s Moraes with Sanctions Amid Bolsonaro Coup Case
• U.S.-Brazil Tensions Rise as Judge Moraes Faces Sanctions Under Magnitsky Act

Trump has dismissed the case as a “witch hunt” and linked new 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, starting August 1, to the legal drama. This follows a June warning from Secretary of State Marco Rubio about possible sanctions on Moraes.

Moraes recently ordered Bolsonaro to wear an ankle monitor and stay off social media, claiming he was trying to drum up foreign support, including from Trump.The U.S. responded with visa bans and asset freezes on Moraes, escalating the conflict. Earlier this month, the U.S. also yanked visas for Moraes, his family, and other court officials, leading Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to slam the actions as “outrageous” and an attack on Brazil’s sovereignty.

Brazil’s Supreme Court hasn’t spoken out yet, but Lula is standing firmly behind the judiciary, condemning U.S. interference. The sanctions have sparked a wave of anger in Brazil, with many, especially in conservative circles, accusing Trump of sticking his nose in their country’s business.

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This rare move against a foreign judge shows Trump’s readiness to use economic pressure to back allies like Bolsonaro. With Brazil considering its own tariffs and 2024 trade between the two nations hitting $40.3 billion, this feud could shake up both economies and politics.