‘Pseudo-patriots,’ says Moraes about fugitives who attack Brazilian sovereignty

By Marcela Leiros – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued criticisms during the opening plenary session of the Judiciary’s second semester this Friday, August 1, targeting Brazilians who are fugitives abroad and attempting to subject Brazil to foreign interests.

Without naming names, the justice referred to them as “pseudo-patriot Brazilians” and characterized their actions as betrayal of the nation, with the intent of obstructing justice—an indirect reference to figures such as suspended deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL/SP), son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who has been living in the United States since February.

“[They act in a] cowardly manner because these pseudo-patriot Brazilians are fugitives hiding outside national territory. And their conduct is treacherous because they operate through hostile, deceitful acts stemming from illicit and criminal negotiations, with the clear intent of obstructing justice. This cowardly and treacherous behavior causes harmful repercussions for the Brazilian economy and society,” said the minister.

Alexandre de Moraes also stated that there is abundant evidence of unlawful conduct—not only of instigation and assistance in attempts to subject the functioning of the STF to the oversight of another country, but also of affronts to national sovereignty.

“It is a true betrayal of the nation—a cowardly and treacherous betrayal. There is ample evidence in the investigations proving these unlawful acts. Not just incitement, instigation, and assistance in the attempt to subject the operations of the Supreme Federal Court to the scrutiny of a foreign state, with a clear affront to national sovereignty, but also abundant evidence showing assistance in vile, treacherous, and illicit negotiations with foreign authorities to carry out hostile acts against Brazil’s economy,” he added.

This was the STF’s first session following the move by U.S. President Donald Trump to invoke the Magnitsky Act against Alexandre de Moraes, and the first time the justice spoke publicly about the case. Trump’s action against Moraes included the imposition of tariffs on Brazilian products, aimed at shielding former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) from prosecution over his alleged coup attempt.

Originally, the U.S. legislation was created to punish individuals involved in human rights abuses, corruption, or those who facilitate such practices. However, Moraes’ case stands out for its political motivations. He is the first Brazilian, and the first member of a Supreme Court, to be sanctioned under the law. Measures include asset freezes and a ban on financial transactions.

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves