The US Treasury Department lifted sanctions on Friday against Brazil Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Moraes had overseen the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is now in jail.
The sanctions formed part of a broader set of punitive steps taken by the administration of President Donald Trump. Trump is a longtime ally of Bolsonaro and had strongly criticised the trial, calling it a “witch hunt.”
Sanctions Imposed Earlier This Year
Washington imposed sanctions on Moraes in July. A few months later, the US also targeted his wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes. Authorities later extended the measures to a company linked to the family.
These actions angered the Brazilian government and added to growing tensions between the two countries.
Diplomatic Reset Leads to Reversal
The US eased the sanctions after both sides worked to improve diplomatic relations. The decision dealt a setback to Bolsonaro and his family, who had actively lobbied US officials to maintain the measures.
A senior official from Trump’s administration told AFP that “continued designation is inconsistent with US foreign policy interests.”
Moraes Welcomes the Decision
Moraes reacted positively to the move. He said the truth eventually reached US authorities. “I believed, and I still believe…that the truth, once it reached US authorities, would prevail,” Moraes said in Brasilia.
“And the truth, with the efforts of President Lula and his entire team, prevailed.”
Improved Ties Between Washington and Brasilia
Relations between the two countries began to improve after months of hostility. In October, Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held their first official meeting.
That meeting triggered intense diplomatic talks. As relations warmed, the Trump administration last month exempted key Brazilian exports from a 40-percent tariff that had been imposed due to the Bolsonaro trial.
Earlier Sources of Tension
Strains between the US and Brazil existed even before Bolsonaro’s conviction. Moraes had led efforts to regulate social media. He had also temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s X platform and accounts popular with conservative users.
When the US imposed sanctions, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Moraes of overreach.
He said Moraes had “taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against US and Brazilian citizens and companies.”
Bolsonaro’s Conviction and Jail Term
Bolsonaro began serving a 27-year prison sentence in November. A court convicted him of leading a scheme to stop Lula from taking office after the 2022 election.
The verdict marked a dramatic fall for the former president, who had close ties with Trump during his time in office.
Eduardo Bolsonaro’s Lobbying Efforts
Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, moved to the United States earlier this year. He travelled frequently between Brazil and the US to lobby for sanctions against Brazilian judicial officials.
Brazilian authorities later charged him with “coercion.” Prosecutors accused him of trying to influence the coup trial against his father.
Reaction From Bolsonaro’s Camp
Eduardo Bolsonaro criticised the US decision to lift sanctions on Moraes. In a social media post, he said the move was received “with regret.”
He blamed internal divisions and weak international backing.
He said a “lack of internal cohesion and the insufficient support for initiatives conducted abroad contributed to the worsening of the current situation.”
“We are grateful for the support that President Trump has shown throughout this journey and for the attention he dedicated to the serious crisis of freedoms afflicting Brazil.”
New Development in Brazil’s Parliament
On Friday, a senior Trump administration official welcomed a new development in Brazil. The official pointed to the passage of a bill by Brazil’s lower house.
The chamber is dominated by Bolsonaro supporters. The bill could significantly reduce the former president’s prison sentence.