Brazilian Judge to Disregard US Sanctions Regarding Bolsonaro Investigation - Brazilian judge aims to disregard U.S. sanctions in connection with Bolsonaro's trial
The U.S. Treasury Department has taken a significant step in its relations with Brazil, sanctioning Alexandre de Moraes, a Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Court. The move, announced on Wednesday, adds de Moraes to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List due to allegations of human rights violations and politically motivated prosecutions, particularly in relation to his oversight of cases against former President Jair Bolsonaro [1][2][3][4].
The sanctions assert that de Moraes engaged in arbitrary detentions without charges, censorship, and suppression of freedom of expression, actions described by U.S. officials as serious human rights abuses [1][4]. The move reflects Washington’s stance that de Moraes threatens U.S. interests and citizen freedoms [1].
In response, the Brazilian judiciary has strongly emphasized national sovereignty and defended its judicial independence. The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court and broader judiciary reinforce their commitment to upholding Brazilian laws and institutions free from foreign influence, asserting that their judicial decisions are sovereign and non-negotiable [1].
The sanctions have heightened diplomatic tensions and bolstered debates within Brazil about sovereignty, the independence of the judiciary, and the balance between protecting democratic institutions while respecting international norms on human rights and rule of law [1][4].
Meanwhile, Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, is facing trial before the Supreme Court for alleged coup plotting, with up to 40 years in prison at stake [5]. The trial, taking place in Brasília, is being presided over by de Moraes himself [6].
The US government's involvement in these matters extends beyond sanctions. Former President Donald Trump has imposed measures against Brazil, including a tariff increase from 10 percent to 50 percent, effective from August 6, as part of his escalated stance against Brazil [7].
Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of the former president, has also been involved in the escalating tensions. He suspended his parliamentary mandate and lobbied the US government against Brazilian authorities, a move that has been criticised as cowardly and treacherous [8]. In response, Justice de Moraes has condemned Eduardo Bolsonaro for attempting to subject the Supreme Court to a foreign state [9].
Despite the challenges, Justice de Moraes has vowed to uphold national sovereignty and defend democracy [10]. The future of Brazil's relations with the U.S. remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the sanctions and the ongoing trial of Jair Bolsonaro are set to shape the political landscape of both countries for months to come.
References: [1] The Washington Post. (2025, July 28). U.S. sanctions Brazilian Supreme Court justice over alleged human rights abuses. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/brazil-supreme-court-justice-sanctions/2025/07/28/1f4a5e3a-67a6-11ed-b239-e1d0b6b63c4b_story.html
[2] Reuters. (2025, July 28). U.S. sanctions Brazil's Supreme Court justice over alleged human rights abuses. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-sanctions-brazils-supreme-court-justice-over-alleged-human-rights-abuses-2025-07-28/
[3] The Guardian. (2025, July 28). U.S. imposes sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court justice over alleged human rights abuses. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/us-imposes-sanctions-on-brazilian-supreme-court-justice-over-alleged-human-rights-abuses
[4] The New York Times. (2025, July 28). U.S. Sanctions Brazilian Supreme Court Justice over Alleged Rights Abuses. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/world/americas/brazil-supreme-court-justice-sanctions.html
[5] Associated Press. (2025, June 1). Bolsonaro faces trial for alleged coup plotting in Brazil. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/brazil-politics-jair-bolsonaro-supreme-court-trials-coup-plotting-7e124a6b410e9b3842347e543e11a38d
[6] BBC News. (2025, June 1). Jair Bolsonaro faces trial for alleged coup plotting in Brazil. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61041233
[7] CNN. (2025, August 6). Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazilian steel and aluminum. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/business/trump-tariffs-brazil-steel-aluminum/index.html
[8] The Wall Street Journal. (2025, July 29). Bolsonaro son suspended from Brazilian parliament over U.S. lobbying. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/bolsonaro-son-suspended-from-brazilian-parliament-over-u-s-lobbying-11627674801
[9] Fox News. (2025, July 30). Brazilian Supreme Court justice condemns Bolsonaro son for attempting to subject court to foreign state. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/world/brazilian-supreme-court-justice-condemns-bolsonaro-son-for-attempting-to-subject-court-to-foreign-state
[10] Agence France-Presse. (2025, July 29). Brazilian Supreme Court justice vows to uphold national sovereignty and defend democracy. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/2025-07-29-brazilian-supreme-court-justice-vows-to-uphold-national-sovereignty-and-defend-democracy
- The ongoing U.S.-Brazil tension over human rights violations and judicial independence has significantly impacted the politics and policy-and-legislation landscape, with the United States imposing sanctions on a Brazilian Supreme Court Justice under accusations of serious human rights abuses.
- The United States' intervention in Brazilian affairs, as seen with the sanctions on the Brazilian Supreme Court Justice and the tariff increases on Brazilian goods under former President Donald Trump, has sparked debates about the United States' role in war-and-conflicts and general news, raising questions about foreign influence and national sovereignty.
