Tensions rise as Lula blasts U.S. over visa sanctions tied to Bolsonaro trial

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called a U.S. determination to enforce visa bans connected officials progressive successful erstwhile President Jair Bolsonaro's proceedings "arbitrary" and "baseless," and said overseas interference successful the judiciary was "unacceptable."

In a connection connected Saturday (July 19, 2025), the leftist person said the enactment violated cardinal principles of respect and sovereignty betwixt nations.

In an escalation of tensions betwixt U.S. President Donald Trump and the authorities of Latin America's largest economy, Washington imposed visa restrictions connected Friday (July 18, 2025) connected Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, his household and different unnamed tribunal officials.

The visa bans were a effect to the Supreme Court's determination to contented hunt warrants and restraining orders targeting Mr. Trump state Mr. Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting a coup to overturn the results of a 2022 predetermination helium lost.

"I americium definite that nary signifier of intimidation oregon threat, from anyone, volition compromise the astir important ngo of Brazil's powers and institutions, which is to permanently support and uphold the antiauthoritarian regularisation of law," said Mr. Lula.

Solicitor General Jorge Messias, the apical judicial authoritative for Mr. Lula's enforcement branch, said successful a connection posted connected X precocious Friday that Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet was besides targeted by the ban.

Mr. Messias said nary "improper maneuver" oregon "sordid conspiratorial act" would intimidate the judiciary successful carrying retired its duties with independence, arsenic helium condemned what helium besides described arsenic arbitrary U.S. visa revocations targeting Brazilian officials for fulfilling their law responsibilities.

In summation to Mr. Moraes, 7 different justices from Brazil's 11-member Supreme Court were besides deed by the U.S. visa restrictions, Government Institutional Relations Minister Gleisi Hoffmann said connected Friday.

They see justices Luis Roberto Barroso, Dias Toffoli, Cristiano Zanin, Flavio Dino, Carmen Lucia, Edson Fachin, and Gilmar Mendes.

The Prosecutor General's Office and the Supreme Court did not instantly respond to requests for comment.

Mr. Trump has criticised the proceedings against Mr. Bolsonaro arsenic a "witch hunt", a word helium has utilized to picture his ain attraction by governmental opponents, and has called for the charges to beryllium dropped. In a missive past week, helium announced a 50% tariff connected Brazilian goods starting August 1, opening the connection with disapproval of the trial.

Mr. Bolsonaro is connected proceedings earlier Brazil's Supreme Court connected charges of plotting a coup to halt Mr. Lula from taking bureau successful January 2023.

The right-wing firebrand has denied that helium led an effort to overthrow the authorities but has acknowledged taking portion successful meetings aimed astatine reversing the election's outcome.