US Sanctions Moraes's Wife, LEX; Revokes Visas, Imposes Tariffs

On Sept. 22 the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Viviane Barci de Moraes and the family holding LEX under the Global Magnitsky Act, freezing any U.S.-based assets, barring U.S. persons from dealings and cutting them off from American financial markets. The move builds on a July designation of her husband, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, whom Washington accuses of weaponizing courts, authorizing arbitrary pretrial detentions and suppressing freedom of expression while overseeing the trial that led to former president Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence for plotting a coup. The administration also revoked visas for other Brazilian officials, including Solicitor-General Jorge Messias, and has imposed 50% tariffs on many Brazilian exports as part of a broader campaign of pressure. U.S. statements say the sanctions target enablers of alleged judicial abuse and highlight the Moraes family’s financial footprint—including Viviane’s law firm dealings with major banks and LEX’s real estate holdings. Brasília condemned the steps as unacceptable interference and is exploring legal remedies, while Justice de Moraes defended the strength and independence of Brazil’s institutions.