The United States is suspending the provision of consular services in Brazil due to security threats. Australia subsequently announced the closure of its embassy in Brasília on Friday — two days before the country’s presidential election.
The US Embassy said consular services would be suspended from Friday, and US citizens requiring assistance were urged not to visit the embassy, consulates or other US diplomatic facilities. As Al Jazeera reports, the statement cited security concerns as the reason for the restrictions, without specifying the nature of the threat or its possible connection to the election.
The US State Department said it was working with Brazilian authorities to respond to security risks. It also noted that embassies and consulates regularly issue alerts about local threats and events.
Australia’s ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, said on social media that the Australian embassy would also be closed on Friday. She referred to the US warning and advised Australians to avoid US diplomatic facilities.
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Brazil’s federal police carried out preventive searches in São Paulo and the Federal District, where the capital Brasília is located. Investigators are examining possible plans that could have posed a threat to US diplomatic facilities.
Police said they acted in cooperation with foreign intelligence services. At the same time, investigators found no evidence confirming the initially reported threat and identified no suspects linked to criminal organizations. The investigation is continuing after communications equipment was seized.
In Sunday’s presidential election, incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking re-election, will face Senator Flávio Bolsonaro — the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held on October 25.
Edinho Silva, head of Lula’s Workers’ Party, called the closure of diplomatic facilities unprecedented and linked it to an attempt to influence Brazilian public opinion. Lula’s allies have also alleged foreign interference in the election campaign. US President Donald Trump publicly praised Flávio Bolsonaro and said he was closely watching the election.
Source: UA
