The Secretary of State for Government Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, announced on Friday (18) the revocation of the American visas of the Minister of the Supreme Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes, his family and “allies in the court.” The measure occurs on the same day Moraes determined the use of electronic anklet by former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). According to Rubio, the revocation was motivated by alleged abuses of authority practiced by Moraes. In a publication on social network X, the secretary claimed that the minister conducts a “political witch hunt” against Bolsonaro, violating basic rights and promoting censorship that, according to him, “reaches even Americans.”
“In violating principles of freedom of expression and promoting political persecution, Moraes exceeded acceptable limits to the United States. Therefore, I ordered the revocation of his visas, his allies at the Supreme Court and his immediate family members,” wrote Rubio. The post does not specify who the “allies” cited. The Supreme Court has not yet commented on the decision.
Earlier, Moraes complied with the request of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) and determined a series of restrictions against Bolsonaro, including the use of electronic anklet, prohibition of use of social networks and contact with investigated, diplomats and ambassadors, as well as night home collection. The measure was justified by evidence that the former president is trying to obstruct investigations, coerce authorities and may try to escape the country.
The Trump administration’s reaction is seen as part of the pocket wing pressure for the United States to apply against Moraes the so -called magnitsky law, a mechanism created in 2012, during the Barack Obama government, to impose sanctions on foreigners involved in corruption and human rights violations. The legislation allows for freezing goods, blocking bank accounts and cancellation of credit cards in US operations institutions. So far, however, this measure has not been formally adopted against the minister.
Federal Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), son of the former president, praised Rubio and Trump for the initiative. “I cannot see my father, and now there is Brazilian authority that will not be able to see their families in the US too – or perhaps they will even lose their visas,” he said. Eduardo is graduated from office and currently lives in the United States.
