Brazil's Justice Minister's US Visa Revoked, Lula Protests
Brazil - Brazilian President Lula said on the 26th that the US has revoked the visa of Brazil's Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, calling the US decision "irresponsible."
Lula said during a cabinet meeting that "these attitudes are unacceptable. (Previous US visa restrictions) not only targeted Minister Lewandowski, but also Supreme Court judges or any Brazilian officials."
Under the US Magnitsky Act, the US has the authority to sanction individuals who violate human rights and significant foreign corruption. In July, the visa of Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who was responsible for the trial of Bolsonaro's case, was revoked. Several other judges of the Supreme Court were also subjected to similar sanctions.
These sanctions resulted in all assets held by the judge in the US being frozen, and American citizens or companies were prohibited from doing business with him. A source from the Brazilian Supreme Court told AFP that Moraes has no assets in the US.
Regarding punitive additional taxes on Brazilian exports, Lula reiterated that his government "is willing to sit down (for negotiations) on equal terms." He emphasized, "What we cannot accept is being looked down upon."
According to The Times, US President Trump supported his far-right ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro, by announcing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports and sanctioning a Supreme Court judge to prevent Bolsonaro from being imprisoned for allegedly plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election.
Bolsonaro faces a judgment from the Supreme Court that could result in a prison sentence of up to 40 years. Trump called this judicial process a "witch hunt" and urged Brazilian authorities to end the trial.
To support Lula, many government officials wore blue hats with the slogan "Brazil belongs to Brazilians."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841569354109956/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.