USA evaluate sanctions against Alexandre de Moraes for alleged violations of rights

United States Diplomacy Chief Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the Supreme Court (STF) Minister Alexandre de Moraes may be the subject of sanctions by the US government. According to Rubio, who represents Donald Trump’s administration, the possible punishment “is under analysis at this time and there is a great possibility of happening.”

The statement was made during a hearing at the US Representatives Foreign Relations Commission and marks the first time a Trump government high representative publicly admits the assessment of sanctions against Moraes.

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The legal basis considered is magnitsky law, legislation passed in 2012 and expanded in 2016, which allows the United States to apply unilateral sanctions to foreigners involved in corruption or serious human rights violations.

Punishments include blockade of assets, freezing bank accounts, suspension of visas and prohibition of entry into the country, even without the need for a lawsuit – just a decision of the executive based on reports and documents of international bodies, press or testimonies.

Moraes critics in the US claim that their decisions violate fundamental guarantees, especially by determining blocking social networking profiles of pockets, including accounts hosted in American companies.

The episode motivated a state department note in February, with indirect criticism of the magistrate. “Imposing fines on US -based companies for refusing to censor people living in the United States is incompatible with democratic values,” the agency said.

Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, articulates with allies of the trumpland base and members of the US government to include Moraes on the sanction list. He has kept contact with republican parliamentarians, as well as names such as blogger Paulo Figueiredo and businessman Elon Musk – both involved in public disputes with the STF and Moraes himself.

Although STF’s advice that Moraes maintains accounts or assets in the US, a possible sanction could impact Brazilian banks with international acting, as well as US -based credit card flags in the United States.

The eventual imposition of sanctions on a Brazilian Supreme Court minister is seen with concern for sectors of the Lula administration and should further intensify the already sensitive relationship between Brasilia and Washington on the themes of digital sovereignty and freedom of expression.