The United States has revoked the visa of Brazil’s Justice Minister, Ricardo Lewandowski.
This follows tensions rise over the ongoing trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the move, describing it as an unfair step against a senior member of his government.
The decision comes as Washington continues to react strongly to Bolsonaro’s trial on charges of plotting to overturn the results of Brazil’s 2022 elections.
Reports from Brasilia indicate that the sanctions also extend to Supreme Court justices involved in the case, including Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the proceedings.
US president Donald Trump had earlier introduced steep tariffs on Brazilian goods and backed measures against officials linked to the trial.
Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, who resides in the United States, has been lobbying against the case, portraying it as a political attack on his father.
Bolsonaro, who ruled from 2019 to 2022 and was often compared to Trump for his right-wing stance, faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
He is currently under house arrest while awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling, expected next month. Prosecutors have asked for tighter security around his residence, warning that he could attempt to flee.
The former president denied wrongdoing and insisted that the charges are designed to block him from contesting the 2026 elections.
Investigators recently revealed that he once considered seeking asylum in Argentina, claiming persecution by Brazil’s judiciary.
The standoff has fueled growing diplomatic friction between Brazil and the United States as the trial nears its decisive stage.
