Brazil’s Lula Slams US Visa Restrictions as “Arbitrary”

Brazilian President Lula da Silva issued a sharp rebuke on Saturday against the United States for imposing visa restrictions on Brazilian officials, describing the move as "arbitrary" and "baseless."

 In a strongly worded statement, Lula denounced the measures as a breach of international norms and an affront to national sovereignty.

“I am confident that no form of intimidation or threat, from anyone, will deter the most important mission of our authorities and institutions: the unwavering defense and preservation of the rule of democratic law,” Lula declared in a public address.

The U.S. State Department had recently announced visa sanctions targeting Brazilian officials allegedly linked to anti-democratic actions, particularly concerning investigations into the January 8, 2023 storming of government buildings by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move has sparked controversy in Brasília and prompted a forceful response from the current administration.

Lula expressed explicit solidarity with Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (STF) justices, several of whom were reportedly affected by the U.S. decision. “I express my support and solidarity with the justices of the Federal Supreme Court, who have been targeted by yet another arbitrary and entirely unfounded action by the United States government,” he stated in a post on social media platform X.

The Brazilian president also rejected what he sees as foreign interference in domestic judicial processes. “The intervention of one state in the judicial system of another is unacceptable and violates the core principles of respect and sovereignty among nations,” Lula said.