The Minister of the Attorney General of the Union (AGU), Jorge Messias, said on Monday (22) that his generation has an ethical and political commitment to the defense of democracy in Brazil, and that it is secondary to the fact that The United States has revoked its entry visa in the country.
The statement was given during the event “Law, Democracy and Credit: building sustainable and equitable development”, based by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) in Rio de Janeiro.
Messiah pointed out that Brazilian democracy is not a choice, but a duty of involvement. He recalled the impacts of dictatorship in the country between 1964 and 1985, mentioning forced disappearances, torture and destroyed families.
“If I have to lose my visa to the United States, so that children do not lose their parents, I lose my visa. It is not worth it,” said Messiah.
“We will not give up what we believe, what we swear to defend. Democracy is a fundamental element. We will not give up our democracy,” he added.
The minister also stressed that the redemocratization was the result of collective struggle and that it is up to the new generations to preserve the advances made.
The US government had already revoked the visas of the Ministers of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes, Gilmar Mendes, Flávio Dino, Luis Roberto Barroso, Edson Fachin, Dias Toffoli, Cristiano Zanin and Carmen Lúcia. They also visited other members of the Brazilian government.
The cancellation of visas of Brazilian authorities is part of a retaliation measures package that Donald Trump has imposed on Brazil due to the trial and conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies for the attempted coup.
During the event at BNDES, the president of the institution, Aloizio Mercadante, provided solidarity with Jorge Messias and said that the revocation of the visa by the United States is a “brutal injustice.”
“I’ve never seen him bow the spine to give up ethics or principles, the essential values that democracy and the republic need. In these times, it is very important to have this kind of posture. This sacrifice will be recognized throughout your life. And we will continue to fight,” said Mercadante.
