Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned the United States’ revocation of visas for justices of the Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF), calling the move by President Donald Trump’s administration “unacceptable.”
In an official statement released Saturday, President Lula expressed solidarity with the court, describing the action as “arbitrary and completely without foundation.” He affirmed that “no type of intimidation or threat” would compromise the mission of Brazil’s national institutions to defend and preserve the democratic rule of law.
The U.S. action is the latest move in an escalating period of tension between the two governments. The decision to revoke the visas came shortly after STF Justice Alexandre de Moraes imposed precautionary measures on former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is now required to wear an electronic ankle monitor following federal police searches of his home and party headquarters.
In justifying the visa revocations, Senator Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration will “hold accountable foreigners responsible for the censorship of protected expression in the United States.” In a post on the social media platform X, he characterized Justice Moraes’ investigation into Bolsonaro as a “political witch hunt” that “violates the basic rights of Brazilians” and “extends beyond Brazil’s borders, affecting Americans.” The statement announced the immediate revocation of visas for Moraes, his allies on the court, and their immediate family members.
This diplomatic friction follows other recent measures from Washington. Ten days ago, the Trump administration notified the Brazilian government of its intent to impose a 50% surtax on all Brazilian products imported into the U.S. beginning January 1. This week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative also launched an investigation into alleged unfair trade practices by Brazil, including its instant payment system, Pix, to determine if they unjustly restrict American exports.
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