Sat Jul 19 03:54:39 UTC 2025: **U.S. Sanctions Brazilian Judges Amid Bolsonaro Case, Accusing Court of “Political Witch-Hunt”**

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – The United States is imposing visa restrictions on Brazilian judicial officials and their families, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday, citing concerns over what he called a “political witch-hunt” against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Rubio specifically accused Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes of creating a “persecution and censorship complex,” alleging violations of basic rights and targeting of Americans. He stated he had ordered visa revocations for Moraes, his allies on the court, and their immediate family members, effective immediately. Sources say seven more justices of Brazil’s Supreme Court had also had their visas revoked.

The move comes after Brazil’s Supreme Court issued search warrants and restraining orders against Bolsonaro, banning him from contacting foreign officials amid allegations that he sought interference from former U.S. President Donald Trump in court cases against him. Bolsonaro is currently facing trial on charges related to an alleged attempt to overturn current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s election victory in January 2023.

Moraes accused Bolsonaro of attacking Brazil’s sovereignty by encouraging foreign interference. Federal police raided Bolsonaro’s home and headquarters, with authorities ordering him to wear an ankle monitor, citing a “concrete possibility” he would attempt to flee the country.

Bolsonaro has vehemently denied the charges, calling Moraes a “dictator” and describing the court orders as acts of “cowardice.” He expressed feeling “supreme humiliation” at having to wear an ankle monitor.

Trump has voiced support for Bolsonaro, recently sharing a letter lamenting the former president’s “terrible treatment” and threatening to impose tariffs on Brazilian goods if charges against Bolsonaro were not dropped. Lula’s government has vowed to retaliate against any unilateral tariff increases.

The Brazilian court has deemed Trump’s tariff threats an attempt to interfere in the country’s judicial system.

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