Brazil Has Descended into Tyranny,» Claims Former MEP Rob Roos, Denouncing Judicial Censorship of Social Media
Maria Herrera Mellado 
Brazil has become a tyranny. This is the accusation made by former MEP Rob Roos, who claims that the “justice” system in Brazil has the power to censor social media accounts.
After X (formerly Twitter) did not comply with orders to block accounts as demanded by the courts, the platform ceased operations in Brazil. Elon Musk responded by calling Judge Alexandre de Moraes a dictator and launched a viral page to expose the magistrate’s crimes.
«We will begin publishing the long list of crimes committed by @Alexandre, along with the specific Brazilian laws he has violated, tomorrow. Obviously, he doesn’t need to abide by U.S. law, but he must comply with the laws of his own country. He is a dictator and a fraud, not a judge,» announced Elon Musk.
Today marks the beginning of shedding light on the abuses of Brazilian law committed by Alexandre de Moraes. We have been forced to share these orders because there is no transparency from the court, and those being censored have no recourse for appeal. Our own appeals have been ignored.
Now, the people of Brazil are being denied access to X. Secret justice is no justice at all. Today, we say that things must change, Musk added.
Brazil’s justice system is riddled with authoritarian judges. On September 1, Alexandre Files went live. Within hours, the profile had amassed a quarter of a million followers.
To grasp the severity of the situation, it’s important to note that most of the judges on the Supreme Federal Court, the highest legal authority in Brazil, were appointed during the governments of the Workers’ Party, the party of Lula Da Silva. As a result, the persecution and censorship by the judiciary have been directed against supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, even extending to his family members. The judicial persecution, known as the «toga dictatorship,» has even stripped right-wing legislators of their parliamentary immunity.
Meanwhile, Congressman Nikolas Freitas, the most voted legislator in the history of his state, Minas Gerais, called for an impeachment of the justices of the Supreme Court in Brazil.
Brazilian Law Defends Freedom of Expression
Several parliamentarians and leaders have echoed Musk’s assertions, stating that Brazilian law guarantees freedom of expression and accusing De Moraes’s actions of being illegal and illegitimate.
With a population of over 220 million, it is estimated that around 22 million Brazilians use X, equivalent to one in every ten Brazilians. This amounts to one in every ten Brazilians. However, the primary goal was to silence the most influential voices, as the platform is predominantly used to disseminate political content. This move has been seen as an abuse of power by some sectors of society. Nonetheless, leftist media outlets have justified and even celebrated it. Spain’s El País headlined a piece: «Brazil Orders X to Shut Down After Elon Musk Refuses to Block Accounts on Judge’s Orders.»
In the article, Alexandre de Moraes is described as a «symbol of the defense of democracy and a crusader against disinformation.» What’s happening in Brazil extends beyond its borders. Elon Musk’s role exposes the global danger of having leaders who can coerce their citizens’ freedoms to the point of denying them access to internet platforms. On the eve of a U.S. presidential election, citizens can witness the risk of having the far left in power.
María Herrera Mellado es una abogada de EE.UU. y licenciada en España. Doctora en Ciencias Jurídicas y Analista política. La Dra. Herrera es conocida por su amplia experiencia en análisis y consultas en el diseño de políticas públicas, propuestas de ley y gestión en relaciones internacionales.
Su reconocimiento proviene de sus contribuciones al análisis y representación legal de diversas organizaciones, empresas e individuos que han visto abusados sus derechos humanos, su privacidad o en la inclusión de políticas efectivas fundamentalmente en el ámbito de la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas, así como la lucha contra la corrupción.
Su formación académica y experiencias profesionales la convierten en una voz respetada en el debate público y en el análisis de temas de actualidad sobre todo en los desafíos políticos y legales contemporáneos.
María Herrera Mellado is a U.S.-based attorney also licensed in Spain. She holds a PhD in Legal Sciences and is known as a media legal and policy analyst.
Dr. Herrera is recognized for her extensive experience in analyzing and consulting on public policy design, legislative proposals, and international relations management.
Her recognition stems from her contributions to the analysis and legal representation of various organizations, companies, and individuals whose human rights or privacy have been violated, or who have benefited from the inclusion of effective policies, primarily in the areas of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
Her academic background and professional experience make her a respected voice in public debate and in the analysis of current issues, particularly in contemporary political and legal challenges.