United States Revokes Visa of Brazil’s Justice Minister Amid Bolsonaro Trial Dispute
Diplomatic tensions have flared between Brazil and the United States after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva disclosed that Washington has revoked the visa of Justice Minister, Ricardo Lewandowski, a move linked to the ongoing trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
President Lula, speaking during a cabinet session on Tuesday, strongly criticized the decision, describing it as “irresponsible” and a direct intrusion into Brazil’s sovereignty. He emphasized that his government had not been formally informed by U.S. authorities about the reasons behind the action, stressing that such interference in domestic legal affairs would not be tolerated.
“This is not only disrespectful to our institutions, but also a violation of Brazil’s right to manage its judicial processes without outside pressure,” Lula stated. “We will defend our democracy and the independence of our judiciary from any form of intimidation.”
The visa cancellation follows earlier measures by Washington. In July, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced restrictions targeting several Brazilian Supreme Court justices overseeing proceedings against Bolsonaro, citing concerns about what American officials described as politically motivated prosecutions. More recently, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a member of Brazil’s judiciary, alleging actions that threatened freedom of expression and democratic rights.
These steps have deepened friction between the two countries. Brazilian authorities maintain that the prosecutions against Bolsonaro are lawful and necessary to safeguard democratic stability, while Bolsonaro’s allies argue that the cases amount to a political “witch-hunt.”
His supporters have welcomed the U.S. measures as evidence of international sympathy for the former president.
Ricardo Lewandowski, a former Supreme Court justice who assumed the role of justice minister earlier this year, has been central in overseeing Brazil’s efforts to confront threats to its democratic institutions.
The revocation of his U.S. visa is being interpreted in Brasília as a deliberate challenge to the Lula administration’s legal agenda.
Analysts warn the development could put strain on U.S.–Brazil relations at a time when both governments have been working to strengthen ties in areas such as trade, climate change, and regional security. “This decision risks opening a diplomatic rift at a delicate moment,” noted Ana Paula Costa, a political analyst at the University of São Paulo. “Brazil cannot accept external meddling, but it must also balance the need to preserve strategic cooperation with Washington.”
Despite the growing dispute, Lula signaled that his government would not retaliate immediately, but instead seek clarification through diplomatic channels. “Brazil values its relationship with the United States, but respect must be mutual,” he said.
The controversy comes as Bolsonaro’s trial approaches a crucial stage in September, where he faces charges of attempting to undermine Brazil’s democratic transition after his 2022 election defeat. Observers suggest the U.S. visa actions may only be the beginning of a wider international response that could influence the political climate around the case.
For now, the revocation of Lewandowski’s visa stands as one of the sharpest points of tension between the two nations in recent years, raising questions about how both governments will navigate the sensitive balance between sovereignty, diplomacy, and democracy
