Crime
U.S. State Department Permanently Revokes Visa of Brazilian Neurosurgeon Ricardo Barbosa After Comments Praising Charlie Kirk Assassination
The U.S. State Department has permanently revoked the visa of Ricardo Barbosa, a Brazilian neurosurgeon from Pernambuco, after he publicly praised the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.
Barbosa, a licensed physician, came under international scrutiny after posting a now-deleted statement on social media in which he applauded the assassin’s “impeccable aim.”
He went further, invoking his medical expertise by noting that the fatal shot had struck the “cervical spine,” language that authorities said amounted to an endorsement of murder.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau ordered Barbosa’s immediate visa revocation, stressing that the United States will not tolerate foreign nationals who glorify violence.
Landau described Barbosa’s comments as “the most chilling” he had encountered in his career, stating:
“Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
The decision means Barbosa is permanently banned from entering the United States.
In addition to the U.S. action, Barbosa has faced swift professional consequences in Brazil.
He was terminated from his position at the clinic where he had been practicing, and the Regional Medical Council of Pernambuco (CRM-PE) has opened a formal investigation into his conduct.
Officials confirmed the inquiry could result in the suspension or permanent revocation of his medical license, citing concerns about whether his statements violated professional oaths and the public trust.
Authorities in Brazil are also examining whether Barbosa’s remarks fall under potential criminal or professional misconduct statutes, as outrage continues to mount over his public praise of political violence.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.