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US Sanctions on Brazilian Authorities: An Analysis from Brazil's Perspective

US Sanctions on Brazilian Authorities: An Analysis from Brazil's Perspective. In the last days of May 2025, the political and diplomatic landscape between Brazil and the United States was marked by intense discussions and concerns.

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Unveiled Brazil

5/30/20256 min read

Marco Rubio Sanctions to South American Authorities
Marco Rubio Sanctions to South American Authorities

US Sanctions on Brazilian Authorities: An Analysis from Brazil's Perspective

In the last days of May 2025, the political and diplomatic landscape between Brazil and the United States was marked by intense discussions and concerns. These were fueled by the announcement of potential sanctions by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aimed at Brazilian authorities and public figures. The news, widely reported by various national and international media outlets between May 15 and 27, raised questions about national sovereignty, freedom of expression, and the real impact of such measures.

This article explores, from a Brazilian perspective, the nature of these sanctions, the reasons cited for their imposition, their potential effectiveness, and the expected reverberations within Brazil.

1. What Are the Sanctions Announced by Marco Rubio?

The sanctions in question, as widely reported, primarily refer to visa restrictions for foreigners who, according to US policy, are involved in acts of "censorship" or actions that "undermine freedom of expression protected in the United States." Although Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not explicitly name Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the statements and the context of debates in Washington made it clear that the Brazilian magistrate is one of the main potential targets of this new policy.

Rubio's announced visa restriction policy is based on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the Secretary of State to deem "inadmissible" any foreign national whose entry into the US "would have serious and adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." This means that targeted individuals may have their visas denied or revoked, preventing their entry into US territory.

For Brazilian diplomacy and many legal experts, this measure, although presented as a sovereign prerogative of the US, is seen as an attempt to interfere in Brazil's internal affairs and an affront to the country's sovereignty, especially as it targets a member of the Judiciary in full exercise of his duties.

2. Why Are These Sanctions Being Considered?

The main reason cited by Marco Rubio and his allies for imposing these sanctions is concern over "online censorship" and the alleged violation of freedom of expression in Brazil. The context is Justice Alexandre de Moraes's confrontation with public figures and social media platforms (such as X/Twitter and Rumble), primarily in cases involving disinformation, fake news, and incitement to anti-democratic acts.

From the American perspective, especially within certain conservative circles, Moraes's decisions to suspend accounts and demand content removal are interpreted as undue restrictions on freedom of expression. Some discourses even equate them to acts of censorship that would not be tolerated in the US. Moraes's relationship with figures like former President Jair Bolsonaro and businessman Elon Musk (owner of X/Twitter), both with strong influence in American politics and allies of the Republican Party, amplified the pressure on the Brazilian justice.

From the Brazilian viewpoint, however, Justice Moraes's actions are grounded in the Constitution and the country's laws. They aim to protect democracy, combat criminal disinformation, and ensure the integrity of the electoral process and institutions. The suspension of accounts and content removal, in this understanding, are not acts of censorship but necessary measures to curb abuses and digital crimes that threaten public order and democracy. The interpretation is that there's a fundamental difference between freedom of expression and the dissemination of hate speech, threats, and demonstrably false information.

3. What Is the Actual Effectiveness of These Sanctions?

The effectiveness of the sanctions announced by Marco Rubio, from a Brazilian perspective, is debatable and largely symbolic.

  • Limited Material Impact: Visa restrictions, by themselves, do not directly affect the functions or assets of Brazilian authorities within Brazil. This is not a blocking of assets or a prohibition of financial transactions in the vein of more comprehensive economic sanctions (like those under the Magnitsky Act, which some advocate for, but would require proof of human rights violations or serious corruption, not the primary focus here). The practical impact would be the inability to travel to the US, which, for a Supreme Court justice or other authorities, might be a diplomatic and personal inconvenience, but not a paralysis of their activities.

  • Political Repercussion: The main "effectiveness" lies in the political and media repercussion. The announcement generates diplomatic wear and tear, fuels polarized narratives, and can be used domestically by political groups seeking to delegitimize the work of Brazilian institutions. However, for the targeted authorities, external retaliation can, paradoxically, reinforce their internal support and legitimacy in a context of defending national sovereignty.

  • Legal Complexity and Sovereignty: The application of sanctions to foreign authorities for their actions within their own countries is a delicate area of international law. Many Brazilian legal analysts point out that Moraes's actions fall within Brazilian jurisdiction and are not subject to review by a foreign court. The attempt at interference could even backfire, strengthening the position of Brazilian authorities and prompting a united response in defense of sovereignty.

4. What Are the Impacts in Brazil?

The impacts of the sanctions announced by Marco Rubio in Brazil are multifaceted, encompassing political, diplomatic, and social spheres:

  • Strengthening of the Sovereignty Narrative: The threat of sanctions has served to strengthen the discourse of national sovereignty by the Brazilian government and broad sectors of civil society. Justice Moraes and the STF have received support from various institutions and personalities who view the measure as an unacceptable attempt at external interference. The Federal Council of the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association), for example, issued a statement repudiating the initiative and affirming that it would affront Brazilian sovereignty.

  • Diplomatic Strain, but with Limits: Diplomatic relations between Brazil and the US, which have already experienced periods of turbulence in recent years, may face new strain. However, Brazilian diplomacy has worked to minimize friction, seeking channels for dialogue and reaffirming the independence of its institutions. It is unlikely that the situation will escalate to a significant rupture, given the volume of trade relations and common strategic interests.

  • Internal Polarization: The news of the sanctions, while criticized by most political actors, has also been leveraged by opposition sectors that support "censorship" narratives and seek to weaken the STF. This contributes to the already existing political polarization in Brazil, fueling debates and narratives that sometimes distort the country's legal and institutional reality.

  • Debate on Freedom of Expression: The episode reignites the debate about the limits of freedom of expression in the digital environment. For many Brazilians, the issue is not about silencing opinions, but about curbing organized disinformation and incitement to violence or subversion of democratic order. The discussion about regulating digital platforms, already on the agenda, gains new momentum with the perception that a lack of control could lead to external interventions.

  • Awareness of Geopolitics of Information: The situation also serves as a warning about the complexity of information geopolitics. Social media networks, though global, operate under national jurisdictions, and one nation's attempt to impose its rules on others can generate conflicts and tensions. Brazil, in this sense, reaffirms its position that each country must have autonomy to regulate the digital environment within its borders, in accordance with its laws and democratic values.

Conclusion

The sanctions announced by Marco Rubio against Brazilian authorities, with a focus on Alexandre de Moraes, represent a complex chapter in Brazil-US relations. Although their direct material impact is limited, the measure carries significant symbolic weight, sparking a vigorous debate on sovereignty, freedom of expression, and the role of democratic institutions in Brazil.

From a Brazilian perspective, the response has largely been one of defending autonomy and the legality of internal actions. The episode reinforces Brazil's need to continue strengthening its institutions and developing robust mechanisms to deal with the challenges of the digital age, always committed to protecting its democracy and its citizens' fundamental rights, without relinquishing its sovereignty. Brazil continues to seek respectful dialogue with international partners, but without accepting interference in its internal affairs.

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