The United States has lifted sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who had been penalized for presiding over a pivotal criminal case involving former President Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. Treasury Department’s decision, made public recently, reflects a significant shift in relations under the current administration, moving from a hardline stance taken against Bolsonaro’s opposition to a more amicable approach towards President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The sanctions against De Moraes were initially imposed in July under the Global Magnitsky Act as a response to his role in Bolsonaro’s conviction for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential elections. During this period, former President Donald Trump labeled the trial a “witch hunt” and accused De Moraes of abusing legal processes to suppress dissent.
In addition to lifting sanctions on De Moraes, the U.S. also removed penalties imposed on his wife, Viviane Barci, and the Lex Institute, a financial entity associated with her. This reversal follows the U.S. beginning to reduce steep tariffs previously imposed on Brazilian imports, indicating a warming of relations between the two nations.
This change in U.S. policy closely follows Brazilian lawmakers’ recent vote to significantly shorten the sentences of Bolsonaro and others convicted of anti-democratic actions post-election. The legislation has now moved to Brazil’s Senate, where it may face challenges, particularly from Lula’s administration and the Supreme Court. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed support for the Brazilian legislative action, noting it as a positive step towards addressing the use of judicial processes for political ends.
A senior official from the Trump administration highlighted that maintaining sanctions against De Moraes would not align with U.S. foreign policy goals. They viewed the approval of the Brazilian amnesty bill as a hopeful sign of improving legal conditions in Brazil.
Trump and Lula discussed sanctions in what was described as a “great” phone call, marking the foundation of a revived partnership between the two leaders after a period of tension. Brazil’s institutional relations minister, Gleisi Hoffmann, celebrated the sanction lift as a triumph for her country and attributed the dialogue to Lula’s proactive diplomacy.
Despite this positive development, Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of the former president and a notable advocate for U.S. pressures on Brazil’s judiciary, expressed disappointment over the decision. He acknowledged Trump’s support during this process while lamenting the lifting of sanctions.
The recent events symbolize a potential shift in Brazilian political dynamics and U.S. foreign policy, suggesting a pathway toward improved cooperation between Brazil and the United States amidst historical complexities.