US-Brazil Tensions Rise Over Bolsonaro Judicial Crackdown

The United States, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has revoked the visas of Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, several court allies, and their families, calling recent actions against former President Jair Bolsonaro a 'political witch hunt.' The visa revocations follow Brazilian Supreme Court measures that placed Bolsonaro under electronic monitoring, night house arrest, and banned him from social media and foreign contact amid coup plotting allegations. The US claims these judicial measures violate basic rights and extend censorship to affect Americans. Brazilian officials have condemned the visa actions as arbitrary and pledged not to be intimidated in performing their constitutional duties. The dispute has heightened tensions between the two countries, especially as former US President Donald Trump backs Bolsonaro and threatens trade penalties against Brazil. Bolsonaro denies plans to flee and faces the possibility of decades in prison if convicted.