Overview

• The Treasury’s OFAC added Viviane Barci de Moraes and the Lex Instituto de Estudos Jurídicos to the Magnitsky list, triggering asset freezes in U.S. jurisdiction, transaction prohibitions with U.S. persons, and entry bans.
• Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the actions respond to alleged rights abuses by Alexandre de Moraes and warned that others who support him could face measures, with Bessent urging financial institutions to weigh dealings with sanctioned parties.
• Reuters reported the United States revoked the visa of Brazil’s attorney general minister, Jorge Messias, as part of the same escalation, with additional Brazilian judicial figures reportedly affected.
• Brazilian institutions condemned the moves, with Moraes calling them illegal and lamentable, the Supreme Federal Court labeling them unjust and based on a false narrative, and Itamaraty denouncing an attack on sovereignty.
• The expansion follows the STF’s conviction of Jair Bolsonaro earlier this month, after which U.S. officials signaled further steps, and the Treasury described Lex as holding family assets including the justice’s residence.