US Revokes Visas for Brazilian Supreme Court Judges
Sao Paulo, July 18th – The United States has revoked visas for seven judges on the Brazilian Supreme Court, including Judge Alexandre de Moraes. This information was reported by the local newspaper O Globo on Friday, although it did not cite specific sources.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that visas were immediately revoked for Moraes and his close associates, along with their family members. This decision came in light of a court ruling concerning former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
This past Friday, the Brazilian Supreme Court issued a search warrant and a restraining order against Bolsonaro. He is now prohibited from engaging with foreign officials regarding allegations that he involved former US President Donald Trump in a legal case.
Interestingly, Trump has been exerting pressure to demonstrate support for Bolsonaro, recently announcing a 50% tariff on goods from Brazil, which is considered the leading economy in Latin America.
In a statement to Reuters, Bolsonaro claimed the court’s actions were a reaction to Trump’s criticism of his legal situation, which seeks to contest the last presidential election results.
The ongoing court actions against Bolsonaro are seen as evidence that Trump’s strategies could lead to complications for his political allies amid Brazil’s contentious political landscape.
Bolsonaro is under strict orders not to reach out to foreign officials, either through social media or personal meetings. Adding to his troubles, federal police have raided his home, and he’s been placed under an ankle monitor.
During an interview with Reuters at party headquarters, Bolsonaro accused Moraes of being a “dictator” and referred to the court’s latest rulings as “co-disease.”
Reflecting on his circumstances, he expressed feelings of humiliation, saying, “I was 70 years old and was president of the Republic for four years.”
While denying that he plans to flee the country, he mentioned possibly meeting Trump to discuss the status of his passport, which was confiscated by authorities last year. Bolsonaro also indicated that he was looking to connect with US diplomats in Brazil about Trump’s tariff threat.
The White House, represented by spokesperson Anna Kelly, responded to Bolsonaro’s comments by echoing remarks from Trump about perceived judicial attacks on Bolsonaro and his supporters.
Moraes explained that the restrictions placed on Bolsonaro arose from accusations that he was attempting to hinder “foreign heads of states” from interfering with Brazilian judicial affairs.
Currently, Bolsonaro is facing trial in the Brazilian Supreme Court for allegedly plotting a coup to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva from assuming office in January 2023.
In recent weeks, Trump has been in communication with Brazilian leaders, publicly supporting Bolsonaro and his allies against what he described as a “witch hunt” by the legal system. He further indicated that a 50% customs duty on Brazilian imports would begin on August 1st, aimed at expressing discontent with the ongoing legal actions against Bolsonaro.
