Washington Targets Brazilian Justice Over Bolsonaro Prosecution

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The United States Treasury Department has sanctioned Alexandre de Moraes, a justice on Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF – Supremo Tribunal Federal), for alleged civil liberties violations connected to the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The sanctions, which include a freeze on U.S.-based assets, come amid growing concern over politically motivated actions within Brazil’s judiciary.

Justice de Moraes is leading the controversial trial accusing Bolsonaro of trying to hold onto power following his 2022 election loss. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited de Moraes for “an oppressive campaign of censorship,” involving politically motivated arrests and prosecutions, including those targeting Bolsonaro a key conservative figure and close Trump ally.

This development follows the U.S. State Department’s visa restrictions announced on July 18 against Brazilian judicial officials. Critics argue the legal campaign against Bolsonaro is more about silencing dissent than upholding justice. The sanctions indicate a clear warning from Washington about the direction Brazil’s judiciary is heading.

In a related move, former President Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports set to take effect this Friday, explicitly connecting the measure to what he called a political “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro. Trump’s statement on July 9 made clear that the tariff is intended as a rebuke of the ongoing legal proceedings in Brazil.

Despite the mounting international pressure, Brazil’s Supreme Court and the President’s Office have not responded publicly. The silence raises further concern as questions about judicial overreach continue to circulate.

The growing rift between the U.S. and Brazil over the Bolsonaro trial places significant scrutiny on Brazil’s legal system. Whether this will influence the case’s trajectory or deepen internal divisions remains uncertain.