The United States government has revoked the visa of Brazil’s Justice Minister, Ricardo Lewandowski, in a move that has heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and BrasÃlia.
The development comes as Brazil presses forward with the high-profile trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces charges of plotting to overturn the results of the country’s 2022 elections. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison.
Reports from Brasilia indicate that the U.S. sanctions also extend to some members of Brazil’s judiciary, including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case.
Reacting to the development, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the U.S. action, describing it as an unfair and hostile step against a senior member of his government.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has also waded into the matter, introducing tariffs on Brazilian goods and backing measures against officials linked to Bolsonaro’s trial.
Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022 and was often compared to Trump for his right-wing ideology, is currently under house arrest while awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling, expected next month. Prosecutors have demanded tighter security around his residence, warning that he could attempt to flee.
The former president has denied all allegations, insisting the charges are politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from running in Brazil’s 2026 elections. Investigators have also revealed that Bolsonaro once considered seeking asylum in Argentina, claiming persecution by the judiciary.
His son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who resides in the United States, has been actively lobbying against the trial, portraying it as a political witch-hunt against his father.
The standoff has further strained diplomatic relations between Brazil and the United States as the trial approaches a decisive stage.
