Brazil's Lula slams US over Bolsonaro-linked sanctions – DW – 07/19/2025
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday rejected the latest move by the US to sanction judges involved in the prosecution of former president and far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro.
US President Donald Trump imposed visa restrictions on Friday on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, his family and other unnamed court officials.
The sanctions were the latest move by the White House on behalf of Bolsonaro. Last week, Trump also called for 50% tariffs on Brazil over the government's treatment of the former president.
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Lula described the US sanctions as "interference of one country in another's justice system," stressing it was "unacceptable and violates the basic principles of respect and sovereignty between nations."
"My solidarity and support go to the justices of the Supreme Federal Court, who have been affected by yet another arbitrary and completely baseless measure by the United States government," the Brazilian president said in a statement posted on X.
"I am certain that no form of intimidation or threat, from anyone, will compromise the most important mission of Brazil's powers and institutions, which is to permanently defend and uphold the democratic rule of law," he added.
Bolsonaro, a Trump ally, has been accused of seeking to overturn the 2022 election, which was won by Lula. But the former president has denied the charges, claiming to be a victim of political persecution.
Supreme Court judge Moraes ruled on Friday that Bolsonaro must wear an electronic monitoring device, stay home at night and stay off social media as he awaits a verdict.
The ruling prompted the US to slap the sanctions.
"Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes's political witch hunt against Jair Bolsonaro created a persecution and censorship complex so sweeping that it not only violates basic rights of Brazilians, but also extends beyond Brazil's shores to target Americans," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
The US visa restrictions hit Moraes, his family members and other Brazilian court officials.
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