Eduardo Bolsonaro will press U.S. officials next week to reinstate Global Magnitsky sanctions against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, he told Reuters. The move comes amid a tight presidential race in Brazil, where Eduardo's brother, Flavio Bolsonaro, is closely tied with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in runoff polls. Eduardo says the effort predates the current election and points to an investigation suggesting Moraes may have had improper contact with a banker as justification for renewed sanctions. Moraes did not immediately comment.
Eduardo Bolsonaro to Press U.S. To Reimpose Magnitsky Sanctions On Justice Alexandre de Moraes During Washington Visit
FILE PHOTO: Eduardo Bolsonaro attends the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) USA 2026 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, in Grapevine, Texas, U.S. March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare/File Photo
RIO DE JANEIRO — Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, said he will press U.S. officials next week to reinstate Global Magnitsky sanctions against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes during a Washington visit, he told Reuters on Friday.
Campaign Context
The effort comes as Brazil's presidential contest tightens: Eduardo's brother, Flavio Bolsonaro, is statistically tied with incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in runoff polls, and Eduardo has been actively campaigning on his brother’s behalf. Eduardo, who now lives in the United States, said the Magnitsky push is part of a year-long effort and not directly tied to the current election.
What Eduardo Says
"The Magnitsky matter itself is something we have been working on for over a year now. So, it is not an election-related issue," Eduardo Bolsonaro told Reuters, declining to disclose full details of his Washington agenda.
Background On The Push
Eduardo has been leading a campaign against Justice Alexandre de Moraes, arguing that Moraes should face sanctions for overseeing the trial that led to former President Jair Bolsonaro's conviction and imprisonment on charges related to attempts to overturn the 2022 election results.
The Global Magnitsky Act authorizes the United States to impose economic penalties on foreign individuals deemed responsible for corruption or serious human rights abuses. U.S. sanctions targeting Moraes were announced last year and later lifted in December after a diplomatic push by Brazil’s government.
Recent Developments
Eduardo said he sees renewed grounds to press for reinstatement after an investigation raised suspicions that Moraes may have had improper contact with a banker who is alleged to have led a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme. Eduardo was convicted by Moraes in a separate case and has been a vocal critic of the justice.
Justice Moraes did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reporting: Luciana Magalhaes in Rio de Janeiro. Writing: Fabio Teixeira. Editing: Aurora Ellis.
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