President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that it is "unacceptable" for President Donald Trump to revoke the U.S. entry visas of the ministers of the Supreme Federal Court. In an official note from the Presidency of the Republic released on Saturday morning, Lula expressed solidarity with the court's ministers, calling the measure "arbitrary and completely unfounded."
Lula also stated that "no kind of intimidation or threat" will compromise "the most important mission of national powers and institutions, which is to permanently act in defense and preservation of the Democratic Rule of Law."
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State, Republican Marco Rubio, announced on social media that he had ordered the revocation of American visas for Supreme Federal Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes, his family, and "allies in the court." The sanction was also extended to ministers Luís Roberto Barroso, Dias Toffoli, Cristiano Zanin, Flavio Dino, Cármen Lúcia, Edson Fachin, and Gilmar Mendes.
The measure imposed by Donald Trump is another step in the escalation of tension between the American government and the Palácio do Planalto. Ten days ago, Trump communicated by letter to the Brazilian government that he would impose a 50% surcharge on all Brazilian products imported by the U.S. starting January 1. Just this week, the U.S. Trade Representative's Office opened an investigation into Brazil due to alleged unfair trade practices, including Pix. The aim is to determine whether they are unfairly restricting American exports to Brazil.
Read Lula's official statement:
"My solidarity and support to the ministers of the Supreme Federal Court affected by yet another arbitrary and completely unfounded measure from the government of the United States. The interference of one country in the justice system of another is unacceptable and violates the basic principles of respect and sovereignty among nations. I am certain that no kind of intimidation or threat, from anyone, will compromise the most important mission of national powers and institutions, which is to permanently act in defense and preservation of the Democratic Rule of Law."
Justifying the revocation of visas, Marco Rubio stated that President Donald Trump "made it clear that his government will hold foreigners accountable for the censorship of protected expression in the United States."
"The political witch hunt by Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court against Jair Bolsonaro has created such an extensive complex of persecution and censorship that it not only violates the basic rights of Brazilians but also extends beyond Brazil's borders, affecting Americans," said the Secretary of State in the post made on X.
The measure was announced after Moraes imposed precautionary measures against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who began wearing an electronic ankle bracelet on Friday. The Federal Police executed search and seizure warrants at Bolsonaro's residence and at the PL headquarters in Brasília.
Read below Rubio's full post:
"(Trump) made it clear that his government will hold foreigners accountable for the censorship of protected expression in the United States. The political witch hunt by Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court against Jair Bolsonaro has created such an extensive complex of persecution and censorship that it not only violates the basic rights of Brazilians but also extends beyond Brazil's borders, affecting Americans. Therefore, I ordered the revocation of the visas of Moraes and his allies in the court, as well as their close family members, with immediate effect"
