Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) has joined Representatives Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL), Rich McCormick (R-GA), and Chris Smith (R-NJ), along with Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), in urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to revoke the visas of Brazilian Supreme Court justices involved in suppressing free speech.
In a letter to Blinken, the lawmakers highlighted the actions of several justices, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing them of silencing political dissent, including a nationwide ban on X (formerly Twitter) and restricting access to the platform for millions of Brazilian citizens.
Read: Neck-And-Neck In Pennsylvania: Trump, Harris Tied In Crucial Swing State Showdown
The legislators argue that the justices’ actions represent a severe violation of free speech principles and urge the U.S. to deny them the privilege of visiting the country.
“Justice de Moraes has a well-documented history of curbing free speech, particularly against individuals and groups with conservative political views. His latest actions represent a culmination of a broader pattern of judicial overreach,” wrote the legislators. “We respectfully urge you to deny any application for U.S. visas or admission to the United States, including revoking any existing visas, for Justice Alexandre de Moraes and the other members of the Brazilian Supreme Court complicit in these undemocratic practices.”
On August 30, 2024, de Moraes imposed a nationwide ban on X, leaving millions of Brazilians without access to the platform. Additionally, the court imposed fines for those attempting to access the app through VPNs. Shortly after, the Brazilian government escalated its actions, freezing the accounts of Elon Musk’s Starlink company in an attempt to coerce him into complying with their legal demands.
Read: Israeli Defense Minister Warns Hezbollah Of Increasing Consequences Amid Escalating Tensions
Chairwoman Salazar, who has been vocal about threats to democracy in Brazil and the broader region, has also introduced legislation to compel the State Department to revoke visas for government officials worldwide who are involved in suppressing free speech.
This call to action reflects growing concern over the Brazilian judiciary’s role in undermining democratic principles, particularly the right to free speech. The lawmakers stressed that the U.S. should not grant access to its freedoms for those responsible for restricting them in their own countries.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.