The United States government has imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of gross human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and the suppression of free speech.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), announced the sanctions on Wednesday under Executive Order 13818, which enforces the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. This move comes just days after the U.S. State Department revoked de Moraes’s visa along with those of his immediate family.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a scathing statement, saying, “Alexandre de Moraes has acted as both judge and jury in a politically motivated crackdown targeting U.S. and Brazilian citizens and companies. His campaign of censorship, wrongful detentions, and politicized prosecutions—including actions against former President Jair Bolsonaro—cannot go unpunished.”
Allegations of Abuse and Overreach
Appointed to Brazil’s top court in 2017, de Moraes is accused by U.S. authorities of abusing his judicial authority to lead sweeping investigations beyond Brazil’s borders. OFAC alleges that de Moraes has persecuted individuals—including U.S.-based journalists—for exercising rights protected under American constitutional law.
One specific case cited involved the detention of a journalist for over a year, allegedly in retaliation for expressing dissenting views. Officials also claim de Moraes has ordered U.S. social media companies to block or delete hundreds of accounts belonging to critics of the Brazilian government.
His actions, according to the U.S., have extended to targeting political opposition figures, tech platforms, news outlets, and private companies.
Legal and Financial Implications
Under the sanctions, all property and financial interests belonging to de Moraes within U.S. jurisdiction are frozen. Additionally, U.S. individuals and businesses are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him. Violations of these sanctions could lead to civil or criminal penalties—even if committed unintentionally.
OFAC emphasized that the objective of such measures is behavioral change, not punishment. Those sanctioned have the opportunity to petition for removal if they meet certain conditions.
A Broader Human Rights Message
The sanctions are part of a broader U.S. strategy to hold foreign actors accountable for undermining democratic values and violating human rights. Executive Order 13818 builds on the Global Magnitsky Act to deter the misuse of power on a global scale.
With this move, de Moraes joins a growing list of international officials facing repercussions from Washington over allegations of suppressing fundamental freedoms.
This development is expected to further strain diplomatic relations between the United States and Brazil, especially within the judicial and political spheres.
