MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US revokes visa of Brazilian Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski

“Brazil belongs to Brazilians,” read Lula's cap

The US Government of Republican President Donald Trump has revoked the visa of Brazil's Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the move “irresponsible” and “unacceptable.”

It was the latest episode in a series of diplomatic tensions between the two countries, stemming from Washington's response to the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for alleged coup plotting.

The Trump administration has also sanctioned other senior Brazilian officials, including Supreme Court justices, by revoking their visas and freezing their assets in the US. In addition, Trump has imposed punitive tariffs on Brazilian products, citing a “witch hunt” against his ally Bolsonaro.

Lula expressed his solidarity with Lewandowski and stated that the actions were “shameful” for the US. He added that Brazil will not accept being treated as a subordinate by any country. “We are willing to sit at the table on equal terms. What we are not willing to do is be treated as if we were subordinates. We do not accept that from anyone,” he insisted while making all cabinet members wear a “Brazil belongs to Brazilians” cap.

“I wanted to express to my colleague Lewandowski my solidarity and the solidarity of the government in the face of the irresponsible gesture by the United States to revoke his visa,” Lula also said.

“These attitudes are unacceptable, not only against the minister but against all Supreme Court ministers, against any Brazilian personality,” he added.

The Trump administration has also suspended the visa of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre De Moraes, who is in charge of Bolsonaro's trial, and applied the so-called Magnitsky Act, an instrument for financially sanctioning alleged foreign human rights violators. In late July, Washington blocked all of De Moraes' assets and holdings in the United States. It also revoked the visas of other Supreme Court justices.

Lewandowski used to be an STF Justice until he reached the age limit of 70, so Lula had him switch places with Flávio Dino.

Bolsonaro, who is under preventive house arrest, faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.