Brazilian Senate postpones Bolivia Mercosur entry

Senator Sergio Moro, the former judge of Operation Car Wash fame, postponed a vote on Tuesday on the accession of Bolivia to Mercosur, the trade alliance formed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

During a Foreign Affairs Committee sitting, Mr. Moro requested more time for discussion on the issue. 

“The bloc’s expansion is an idea that makes sense,” he said. However, it could also “paralyze” Mercosur’s talks with other trade blocs — a reference to ongoing negotiations with the European Union. Brazilian officials expect an agreement to be reached by next month.

Mr. Moro also said he is “concerned” about reports of political prisoners in Bolivia, among which he includes former Bolivian President Jeanine Áñez, who was sentenced to ten years in prison for her role in a 2019 coup that removed then-President Evo Morales from power. 

When Mr. Morales attempted a highly questioned third re-election attempt in 2019, based on a friendly court ruling that defied a popular referendum which said “no” to more consecutive terms, the Armed Forces backed...