President Lula slams US over visa cancellation of Brazil’s justice minister

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned Washington’s decision to revoke the visa of Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, describing the move as “irresponsible.”

Speaking at a ministerial meeting in Brasília on Tuesday, Lula said, “I wanted to express my solidarity and the government's solidarity with my colleague Lewandowski faced with the irresponsible gesture of the United States in revoking his visa.”

The US State Department has not yet confirmed the measure, which appears to be part of a growing rift between the two countries. Tensions have escalated since Brazil put former president Jair Bolsonaro on trial over allegations of plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 elections.

Read more: US government signals all 55 million visas can face revocation

The move against Lewandowski follows a string of punitive actions from Washington. President Donald Trump recently announced steep 50 percent tariffs on a wide range of Brazilian goods and also imposed sanctions on the judge presiding over Bolsonaro’s case, which he has denounced as a “witch hunt.”

Bolsonaro, often referred to as the “Trump of the Tropics,” is accused of conspiring to remain in office after losing to Lula. If found guilty, he could face up to four decades in prison. The former leader, who is currently under house arrest, has rejected the accusations, insisting that the proceedings are politically motivated and intended to derail any potential run in the 2026 presidential race.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling early next month, a verdict that could have far-reaching consequences for Brazil’s political future.