Washington, DC, Dec 12 (EFE).- The United States lifted on Friday financial sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversees the criminal case against former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023), according to the updated Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) registry.
The move follows a recent rapprochement between US President Doland Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
It also comes two days after Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies approved a bill that would reduce Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence for attempting to overturn the 2022 election.
The US government publicly welcomed the vote.
Washington had revoked De Moraes’ visa and imposed financial sanctions in July after the judge ordered precautionary measures against Bolsonaro, a Trump ally, during the coup attempt trial.
The penalties were issued under the Global Magnitsky Act, which targets foreign individuals accused of corruption or human rights abuses.
Trump had also raised tariffs on Brazilian exports to 50% in retaliation for the proceedings against Bolsonaro.
The former president was convicted of attempting a coup after Lula’s victory in 2022.
Diplomatic easing began in September after Trump and Lula briefly met in a corridor at the UN General Assembly in New York, an exchange both leaders described as unexpectedly positive.
They later held a phone call and met in person on Oct. 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the encounter was considered constructive by both governments.
Washington welcomes Brazilian bill US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau praised Thursday’s approval of the bill aimed at reducing Bolsonaro’s sentence.
“We are finally seeing the beginning of a path toward improving our relations,” he said.
If passed by the Senate, the bill would go to Lula, who must decide whether to sign or veto it.
A reduction could allow Bolsonaro to leave the closed-regime prison in little more than two years. EFE
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