Brazil announced on Tuesday that the United States has revoked the visa of Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, marking the latest punitive measure by Washington in connection with the coup trial of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro.
The move, yet to be confirmed by the US State Department, was revealed during a cabinet meeting by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. “I wanted to express my solidarity and the government’s solidarity with my colleague (Ricardo) Lewandowski faced with the irresponsible gesture of the United States in revoking his visa,” Lula stated.
President Donald Trump has further escalated tensions by imposing 50 percent tariffs on a wide range of Brazilian imports and sanctioning Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees Bolsonaro’s trial.
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The judge, often vilified by right-wing groups in both Brazil and the US, also had his visa revoked, alongside several other Supreme Court justices, according to Brazilian officials.
“These attitudes are unacceptable, not only against the minister but against all Supreme Court justices, against any Brazilian figure,” Lula said. In a symbolic protest, Lula and several of his ministers wore caps bearing the phrase “Brazil belongs to Brazilians.”
Reports suggest the sanctions followed lobbying efforts by Bolsonaro’s US-based son, Eduardo Bolsonaro. Lula denounced these efforts, describing the campaign as “one of the worst betrayals the country has suffered.”
Jair Bolsonaro, once branded the “Trump of the Tropics,” faces the possibility of up to 40 years in prison if convicted of plotting to stay in power after losing the 2022 presidential election to Lula. Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest, rejects the charges and insists the case is a politically motivated attempt to block his potential return in the 2026 elections.
Prosecutors have recently called for tighter police surveillance around his residence, warning he may attempt to flee before the Supreme Court delivers its verdict early next month. Meanwhile, reports surfaced last week that Bolsonaro had drafted a request for political asylum from Argentina’s President Javier Milei shortly after the coup investigation began, claiming he was the victim of persecution.
What you should know
The United States has revoked the visas of Brazil’s Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski and several Supreme Court justices as part of sanctions tied to Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial.
While Lula condemned the move as an attack on Brazil’s sovereignty, Bolsonaro faces potential prison time and had even considered seeking asylum in Argentina.
