The United States government announced on Monday the inclusion of lawyer Viviane Barci de Moraes, wife of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court (STF), in Magnitsky Law, which imposes economic sanctions and prevents performance and relationship of sanctioned with the US. A company in her name and the couple’s three children was also included in the legislation seen as the “financial death” of the sanctioned. The Brazilian government reacted “with deep indignation”. Moraes received support from court colleagues and the court itself.
Viviane’s statement was made by the Treasury Department, responsible for the law enforcement and mentions Jair Bolsonaro, sentenced by the First Class of the STF to more than 27 years in prison.
By justifying the measure, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that “Moraes is responsible for an oppressive censorship campaign, arbitrary arrests and politicized processes, including former President Jair Bolsonaro.” For him, “today’s action makes it clear that the treasure will continue to aim at individuals who provide material support to Moraes while it abuses human rights.”
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In a statement, Itamaraty said the measure is another attempt to interfere with internal affairs with false justifications.
“In a new attempt to interference in Brazilian internal matters, the US government has tried to justify the adoption of the measure. This new attack on Brazilian sovereignty will not achieve its goal of benefiting those who led the frustrated attempt of coup, some of which have already been convicted by the Supreme Court.
Confirmed threat
Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose position is equivalent to the head of diplomacy, had said that new measures would be announced soon, in response to Bolsonaro’s conviction.
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Viviane operates in different legal areas and runs the Barci de Moares Law Firm office in Itaim Bibi, south of São Paulo. Two of the couple’s three children are also partners of the office. She is also a partner of the Lex Institute of Legal Studies, a company targeted by the sanction.
Moraes, who had already been included in Magnitsky in July – the same day that President Donald Trump formalized 50% tariff against Brazilian exports – said the measure “not only contrasts with the history of the United States of America, respecting law and fundamental rights, but also violent international law, sovereignty of Brazil and the independence of the judiciary”. The minister also stated that he will continue to fulfill his “constitutional mission to judge independently and impartiality” and emphasized that “Brazilian institutions are strong and solid.”
Moraes stressed that Brazilian judges “will not accept coercions or obstructions in the exercise of their constitutional mission sovereignly conferred by the Brazilian people.”
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In a statement, the STF “regrets and considers the measure unjust. The text says that “unfortunately, US authorities were convinced of a narrative that does not correspond to the facts” and adds that Bolsonaro’s trial “respected due process of law and the broad right of defense, with total publicity.”
The STF dean, Gilmar Mendes, and Flávio Dino, one of those that make up the first class with Moraes, were jointly and severally. On social networks, Gilmar classified as “arbitrary” the decision against Viviane: “Punishing a magistrate and family members for fulfilling her constitutional duty is a direct attack on republican institutions.”
Dino lamented that the relations between Brazil and the United States are reached: “We have a tradition of admiration to the legal institutions of the United States, especially to their Supreme Court. I hope these same institutions will be able to illuminate the paths of such an important nation,” he said
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Another onslaught of the US government was the cancellation of US entry visas from Brazilian authorities, such as the Minister of the Attorney General of the Union (AGU), Jorge Messias. According to columnist Bela Megale, from GLOBOthe measure also reached the Former Union General José Levio Minister of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) Benedito Gonçalves; e current and former member of the Moraes Office the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the Supreme Court, cases of Judges Airton Vieira, Marco Antonio Martin Vargas and Rafael Henrique Window Tamai Rochaand from Chief of Staff Cristina Yukiko Kusahara.
Newspaper
In recent weeks, Messiah had been criticizing US sanctions and, in an article published in the The New York Times In July he complained about the lack of trump management dialogue.
“The latest measures applied by the US government against Brazilian and family authorities, it aggravates a disarray of unilateral actions, totally incompatible with the peaceful and harmonious conduct of diplomatic and economic relations built over 200 years between the two countries. Given this unjust aggression, I reaffirm my full commitment to the constitutional independence of our system of justice and receive the specifically directed measure. Perform with vigor and awareness my duties in the name and in favor of the Brazilian people, ”said AGU in a statement.
