WASHINGTON/BRASILIA, Sept. 28 (Dnn Post)— The United States has announced sanctions against Viviane Barci de Moraes, the wife of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, for her involvement in a financial network linked to her role in overseeing the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move further intensifies diplomatic tensions between Washington and Brasília and underscores the growing U.S. scrutiny of Brazil’s judiciary.
Magnitsky sanctions and financial targeting
On September 22, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Barci de Moraes under Executive Order 13818, the enforcement vehicle of the Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which aims to punish foreign individuals who engage in serious human rights abuses or corruption.
According to the Treasury, it serves as the managing partner of the Lex Instituto de Estudos Jurídicos (Lex Institute), a financial institution that holds the de Moraes family’s assets property and other assets reportedly transferred to Lex over time.
According to the designation, Barci de Moraes’ assets and interests in the United States are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with her or her affiliated entities.
The Lex Institute itself has also been sanctioned for materially assisting de Moraes, with US authorities saying it could serve as a vehicle for sanctions or financial support.
This latest move follows previous US sanctions against Justice de Moraes, imposed in July 2025, accusing him of misusing his judicial powers to suppress expression, authorize unlawful detentions, and target political opponents.
Brazil protests, bad politics
The Brazilian government has strongly condemned the measures. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, described the sanctions as part of a “unilateral attack” on Brazilian sovereignty and institutions.
Judge de Moraes criticized the sanctions against his wife as a violation of international law and the independence of the Brazilian judiciary. He insisted that domestic institutions remain strong and not be influenced by external pressure.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Supreme Court has declared the sanctions “unjust,” and the legal community in Brasília has raised concerns about the introduction of sanctions against individuals linked to judicial activities.
In diplomatic retaliation, the United States also revoked or restricted the visas of six Brazilian judicial and government officials, including Attorney General Jorge Messias.
The visa action was part of a broader effort by the United States to punish individuals deemed to be involved in judicial abuses.
Analysis: law, politics, power
The sanctions on Barci de Moraes mark a significant escalation of US pressure: targeting the wife and financial network of a sitting judge is an unusual use of the Magnitsky tool. The US clearly sees the financial infrastructure supporting de Moraes as central to his influence and power.
Such moves underscore a broader US stance that shapes Brazilian judicial decisions – particularly in politically sensitive cases – on matters of international concern. This stance invites a legal quandary: Brazil has asserted that its judiciary is independent and sovereign; the US claims that it has extraterritorial reach for individuals involved in abuses or political interference.
But the real impact of the sanctions may be limited. Barci de Moraes and Lex appear to have assets mostly in Brazil, meaning that the US leverage is limited to US-based assets, international financial transactions subject to US jurisdiction, and reputational costs.
Politically, the move could also strengthen de Moraes’ domestic base of supporters who see the US actions as excessive. In a tense environment, portraying the ruling as a foreign attack could reinforce narratives of foreign intervention.
However, the measure puts Brazil in a difficult position: balancing the defense of sovereignty with real engagement, especially given Brazil’s economic ties with the US and its role as a regional power.
Brazilian influence, US-Brazilian relations, and judicial oversight
The sanctions move further intensifies the diplomatic rivalry between the United States and Brazil. It could undermine bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, security, and multilateral diplomacy.
In Brazil, targeting the judiciary could trigger institutional tensions. Congress or other branches could respond with legislative or diplomatic backlash. Any escalation could threaten the stability of the delicate balance of checks and balances in Brazil’s administration.
In the broader international debate on judicial accountability, this incident raises fundamental questions: to what extent can foreign powers sanction non-executive officials – judges, prosecutors, their networks – without violating the principles of non-interference and the separation of powers?
In the short term, observers will watch whether the United States follows through with additional enforcement measures, whether Brazil retaliates through legal or diplomatic means, and whether the sanctions strategy reshapes future U.S. approaches to democratic reparations abroad. Watch here
Dnnpost Latest News
Trump says US is close to securing a “fair trade deal” with India
