Archive · 13 Dec 2025
US Lifts Sanctions on Brazilian Judge
The United States has decided to remove the sanctions it had placed on a Brazilian judge named Alexandre de Moraes.
The judge was originally sanctioned in July 2024 for overseeing a trial that led to the conviction of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The sanctions also included Moraes' wife and a financial entity they controlled.
The U.S. lifted these sanctions after President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva discussed the issue.
The U.S. said the sanctions were no longer necessary because of improvements in Brazil's legal conditions.
This decision comes after Brazil's lower house of Congress passed a bill to shorten the sentences of those convicted of anti-democratic acts after the 2022 election, which the U.S. supported.
Brazil's government celebrated the decision, while Bolsonaro's supporters viewed it with regret.
The U.S. lifted sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, his wife Viviane Barci, and the Lex Institute.
The sanctions were imposed in July 2024 under the Global Magnitsky Act for overseeing a trial that led to former President Jair Bolsonaro's conviction.
The lifting of sanctions followed a discussion between President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The U.S. stated that the continued designation of Moraes was inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy interests.
The decision comes after Brazil's lower house of Congress passed a bill to shorten the sentences of those convicted of anti-democratic acts after the 2022 election, which the U.S. supported.
- Who
- Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Viviane Barci, Lex Institute, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, former President Jair Bolsonaro, President Donald Trump
- What
- The U.S. lifted sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, his wife Viviane Barci, and the Lex Institute
- When
- The sanctions were lifted on December 12, 2024
- Where
- The decision was made in Washington, D.C., and affects Brazil
- Why
- The U.S. stated that the continued designation of Moraes was inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy interests, and the lifting of sanctions followed a discussion between Trump and Lula
Brazilian Government
Bolsonaro Supporters
Sanctions Lifting
Brazilian Government
Celebrated the decision as a victory for Brazil's judiciary and a defeat for Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro Supporters
Viewed the lifting of sanctions with regret, continuing to fight for Bolsonaro's cause.
- Judge Sanctioned
- Alexandre de Moraes
- Sanctioned Under
- Global Magnitsky Act
- Sanctions Imposed
- July 2024
- Sanctions Lifted
- December 2024
- Sanctions Also Lifted On
- Viviane Barci and Lex Institute
- Brazilian President
- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
- Former Brazilian President
- Jair Bolsonaro
- US Deputy Secretary of State
- Christopher Landau
- Amnesty Bill
- Passed by Brazil’s lower house
- Bolsonaro's Sentence
- Over 27 years in prison
