US Sanctions on Supreme Court Judge’s Wife Escalate Political Tensions with Brazil

In a move that underscores the growing diplomatic strain between Washington and Brasília, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Viviane Barci, wife of Alexandre de Moraes, a prominent judge of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court. This unprecedented step comes amid a broader campaign by U.S. authorities targeting Brazilian officials after the Supreme Court sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to a lengthy prison term. When Does Political Retaliation Cross the Line? The decision to sanction a spouse—without clear public evidence detailing her involvement—raises pressing concerns about due process and respect for foreign sovereignty. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)...