Brazil announced on Tuesday that the United States had revoked the visa of Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, the latest sanction linked to the coup trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva revealed the move during a cabinet meeting, condemning it as “an irresponsible gesture”. He expressed solidarity with Lewandowski, saying the decision was “unacceptable, not only against the minister but against all Supreme Court justices and any Brazilian authority”.
Washington has yet to confirm the measure, though the US under Donald Trump has already imposed 50% tariffs on several Brazilian imports and sanctioned Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court judge overseeing Bolsonaro’s trial. Brazil said several other justices had also lost their visas.
In protest, Lula and several ministers appeared wearing caps inscribed with the slogan “Brazil belongs to Brazilians”. He accused Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo, who lobbied in the US for sanctions, of committing “one of the worst betrayals the country has suffered”.
Bolsonaro, president from 2019 to 2022 and often called the “Trump of the Tropics”, faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of plotting to retain power after losing the 2022 election to Lula. The 70-year-old, currently under house arrest, denies the charges and claims he is a victim of political persecution.
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its verdict early next month. Prosecutors have demanded tighter surveillance, warning that Bolsonaro could attempt to flee. Reports last week revealed that he sought asylum in Argentina from President Javier Milei shortly after the coup probe began, citing alleged persecution in his draft request.