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Statement Made in Washington by a Senior Official of the White House Warns Entrepreneurs About Political Risks in Brazil, Mentions Judicial Interference, and Recommends Caution in New Investments, Without Detailing Cases or Mentioning Judges’ Names.
The United States government does not recommend new investments in Brazil at this time, revealed on Tuesday (09) Michael Jensen, senior director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council.
According to a report from the Poder 360 portal, he stated that the business environment would be compromised by decisions of “judges out of control”, which, in the U.S. government’s assessment, creates risks for companies from the country.
The statement was made to entrepreneurs participating in the Lide Development Forum in Washington.
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Jensen said that, in light of the described situation, opportunities in Brazil would be “limited by politics”.
Without naming judges, he linked the recommendation for caution to episodes in which, according to his account, the U.S. government had to act in defense of American companies.
In his remarks, Jensen described situations that, according to him, would involve arrests without orders and attempts to strip constitutional rights from citizens of the United States.
“When the United States government has to intervene in favor of U.S. companies against out-of-control judges, who put people in jail without arrest, attempt to take away constitutional rights from citizens of the United States, who steal money from the companies, that is not the kind of environment we recommend to anyone,” he stated.
He further emphasized: “Therefore, opportunities are now limited by the political environment.”
What Jensen Told Investors in Washington
The meeting took place in a closed meeting with entrepreneurs at the Milken Institute in the U.S. capital.
In this context, the White House representative associated the warning with a series of recent judicial decisions that, in his view, would be affecting operations and legal security of American companies operating in Brazil.
He did not detail specific cases or present names of companies during the intervention, according to reports from participants.
Stating that politics restricts business opportunities, Jensen spoke about concrete limitations for new investments, without giving timelines for any change in direction.
The explicit recommendation — “we do not recommend to anyone” — was directed at those present in the room and, consequently, to the business audience following the Lide debates.
Implied Target and Context of the Criticisms
Although he did not directly mention Minister Alexandre de Moraes from the Supreme Federal Court, Jensen referred to “judges out of control”, a phrase that has been used by critics of judicial decisions in Brazil.
The comment arises amid U.S. criticisms of the Brazilian Judiciary, according to U.S. government interlocutors, especially in cases related to freedom of expression and sanctions applied in inquiries in the country.
Nevertheless, the director avoided personalizing the criticism and kept his remarks at the institutional level.
Who is the Representative Who Made the Warning
Michael Jensen serves as the senior director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council, an agency that advises the White House on strategic issues.
His responsibilities include coordinating policies for Latin America and coordinating with other U.S. government departments.
The official is a retired lieutenant colonel of the U.S. Air Force, which adds military experience to his role in the presidential cabinet.
How the Message Was Received in the Business Community
The message was directed to an audience composed of executives and investors interested in Brazil’s economic and regulatory scenario.
By emphasizing that political risk weighs more than market attractiveness, Jensen indicated that, for the U.S. government, legal security and institutional predictability are central criteria in the decision to allocate capital.
In the short term, the practical effect of the recommendation tends to be greater caution in new projects and reevaluation of existing exposure.
Recommendation and Possible Developments
The guidance to postpone or avoid investments comes with a diagnosis of judicial interference that, according to Jensen, has exceeded acceptable limits for the operation of foreign companies.
By mentioning government interventions in defense of companies, the director indicates that U.S. authorities would be acting reactively to judicial measures that would impact businesses and individuals linked to the United States.
Without disclosing any potential additional measures from the White House, Jensen focused on advising against investments and pointing out political instability as a restrictive factor.
Until the time of his remarks, no diplomatic or economic instruments that could be triggered in addition to the alert directed at the private sector were detailed.
Ta cheio de empresas cjinesas querendo vir para o Brasil.