Lula Condemns U.S. Revocation of Brazilian Minister’s Visa Calls It Irresponsible

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has denounced the United States’ decision to revoke the visa of Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, calling the move “irresponsible” and “unacceptable” amid growing diplomatic tensions between Brasília and Washington.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lula said the visa revocation is part of a wider pattern of attacks against Brazilian institutions and officials by the Trump administration, as former President Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial moves toward a verdict.

“I wanted to express my solidarity, and the government’s solidarity, with Minister Lewandowski in light of the irresponsible gesture by the United States in revoking his visa,” Lula said. “We are willing to sit at the table on equal terms. What we are not willing to do is be treated as subordinates. We will not accept that from anyone.”

Mounting Tensions Amid Bolsonaro Trial

Relations between Brazil and the U.S.—longstanding allies and economic partners—have significantly deteriorated since Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year. The former U.S. president has openly criticized Lula’s government for pursuing legal action against Bolsonaro, a close political ally of Trump.

Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil’s president from 2019 to 2023, is currently under house arrest as he faces trial for allegedly attempting to orchestrate a coup following his defeat in the 2022 election. Prosecutors allege he explored declaring a state of siege, mobilizing the military, and calling for new elections.

Trump has repeatedly called the trial a “witch hunt.” On July 7, he posted a message on Truth Social defending Bolsonaro as a leader who “fought for THE PEOPLE.” Days later, he announced sweeping 50% tariffs on all Brazilian exports to the U.S., citing the trial as the rationale.

U.S. Sanctions Target Brazilian Judiciary

The visa revocation for Lewandowski follows similar punitive actions against other Brazilian officials. On July 18, the U.S. State Department revoked visas for Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his immediate family, citing alleged censorship and political bias in the Bolsonaro investigation.

“Justice Alexandre de Moraes’s political witch hunt against Jair Bolsonaro created a persecution and censorship complex so sweeping that it violates the rights of Brazilians and extends beyond Brazil’s borders,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the time.

The U.S. further escalated its measures by freezing any U.S.-based assets linked to de Moraes and prohibiting American entities from engaging in financial dealings with him. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused the judge of carrying out “an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions, and politicized prosecutions.”

Lula Asserts Brazilian Sovereignty

President Lula strongly rebuked these measures, defending Brazil’s judicial independence and asserting that his government would not tolerate foreign interference.

“These attitudes are unacceptable—not only against Minister Lewandowski but also against our Supreme Court justices and any Brazilian public servant,” he said. “Brazil has its own constitution, its own laws, and we will uphold them.”

The escalating row places increasing strain on U.S.-Brazil relations, as Bolsonaro’s trial approaches a critical verdict in early September. The outcome could carry wide-reaching consequences for Brazil’s democracy—and its standing on the global stage.