Brazil's top judge rebukes Argentine president's attack on justice

Brazil's top judge has pushed back against Argentine President Javier Milei's sharp criticism of a Supreme Court justice. Supreme Court President Edson Fachin on Saturday called Milei's remarks about Justice Alexandre de Moraes "disrespectful" and "incompatible with civility." Milei, speaking at a political rally in Brazil for the presidential candidacy of Flávio Bolsonaro, had complained about not being allowed to visit former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest. Milei compared Bolsonaro's situation to that of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva when he was imprisoned. "To make matters worse, the trash... He didn't let me visit my friend unjustly imprisoned, although I know Lula was tired of receiving foreign leaders while he was in prison," Milei said, referring to de Moraes. He also accused Lula of interfering in the 2024 elections. Fachin responded in a statement, emphasizing the Brazilian judiciary's full autonomy. He stated that Milei's comments, made on Brazilian soil, were directed at a magistrate of the highest court and were made in reference to a judicial act performed according to Brazil's Constitution and laws. The presidency of the Supreme Court "deplores manifestations incompatible with the civility that should characterize relations between states," Fachin said. Minister Flávio Dino also commented indirectly, criticizing "tricksters" on Instagram and praising the judiciary for defending constitutionalism. He added that a good court establishes insurmountable boundaries for totalitarians and tricksters.