The United States sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Wednesday, accusing him of violating human rights by approving arbitrary detentions and restricting free speech.
Justice Moraes is currently overseeing the criminal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces charges of attempting to orchestrate a coup. U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned the case as a “witch hunt” targeting his political ally and linked recent tariffs on Brazilian goods to the prosecution.
The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Treasury Department, come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated in June that Washington was weighing punitive actions against Moraes. He has been targeted under the Global Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. to sanction foreign officials over alleged corruption or human rights abuses.
“Treasury holds Alexandre de Moraes accountable for weaponizing the judiciary to silence political opposition,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He accused Moraes of leading a campaign of political repression, censorship, and unjust arrests, including actions against Bolsonaro himself.
Among other measures, Moraes recently ordered Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor and barred him from using social media, alleging that the former president solicited outside interference from Trump.
Neither Moraes nor Brazil’s Supreme Court has commented on the U.S. sanctions so far.
Tensions between the two countries have risen in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Washington imposed visa bans on Moraes, his family members, and other unnamed Brazilian judicial officials. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sharply criticized the move, calling it “unjustified” and “an affront to national sovereignty.” The Brazilian leader stated that foreign intervention in domestic judicial affairs is unacceptable.
The visa restrictions followed a Supreme Court crackdown on Bolsonaro and his allies, including raids and legal restraints related to alleged coup plotting after the 2022 election loss. 
In a letter earlier this month announcing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports effective August 1, President Trump opened with sharp criticism of Moraes and what he described as political persecution of Bolsonaro.
While Bolsonaro has denied leading a coup attempt, he admitted to participating in meetings that discussed ways to challenge the 2022 election results.
