Eventual sanctions from Trump against Moraes would have a limited impact

In addition, the US Department of Justice reported to Minister Moraes that its orders were not executable in US territory, noting that any attempt to impose foreign judicial decisions in the country must follow appropriate international legal proceedings.

Tension between Brazil and the USA

The situation generated diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the United States. The Brazilian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed concern about the distortion of Brazilian judicial decisions and reaffirmed national sovereignty.

At the same time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that sanctions against Moraes were under consideration, based on magnitsky law, which allows sanctions to foreign individuals involved in corruption or human rights violations.

The Trump government’s recent initiative to consider sanctions against Minister Alexandre de Moraes on the allegation of censorship to US digital platforms, represents a delicate milestone in diplomatic relations between Brazil and the United States.

This measure, driven by pressures of Jair Bolsonaro’s allies, such as his son Eduardo Bolsonaro, and influential figures such as Elon Musk, signals an attempt at direct intervention in Brazil’s internal affairs, especially regarding the performance of the Supreme Court in defense of the democratic order.