US Expands Sanctions to Brazilian Justice's Wife over Bolsonaro Trial

The U.S. government has escalated sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his family, specifically targeting his wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes, and a financial entity they control under the Global Magnitsky Act for alleged human rights abuses and corruption. These measures follow de Moraes' role in prosecuting former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The sanctions aim to block assets and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with the sanctioned parties, emphasizing that de Moraes is responsible for censorship, arbitrary detentions, and politicized prosecutions. This action is part of a broader U.S. strategy, including earlier visa revocations and tariffs on Brazilian exports, responding to concerns over attacks on democratic processes in Brazil. The Lex Instituto de Estudos Jurídicos LTDA, a holding company linked to de Moraes’ family, was also sanctioned for allegedly facilitating the circumvention of restrictions. The Trump administration has threatened further penalties due to perceived political persecution and erosion of free elections in Brazil, reflecting heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Brasília.