The United States suspended consular services in Brazil and Australia closed its Brasilia embassy after a US security alert, two days before Sunday's presidential election between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro.
The United States suspended consular services in Brazil and Australia closed its embassy in Brasilia after a US security alert, Al Jazeera reported, citing AP and Reuters. The US embassy said in a Thursday statement that consular services would be suspended from Friday and advised Americans not to visit embassy or consulate buildings.
The statement cited security concerns and gave no further detail, and it did not explicitly link the alert to the election. The State Department said it was working with Brazilian counterparts. Australia's ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, said the embassy would close on Friday because of the US alert and told Australians to avoid US diplomatic facilities.
Brazil's federal police carried out preventive search-and-seizure warrants in Sao Paulo and the Federal District in an investigation into suspected plans that could threaten US facilities, Al Jazeera reported. A later account in the Latin Times said police had found no corroborating evidence and no suspects; that claim is not in the Al Jazeera report used as the primary account here.
Sunday's election pits President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking re-election, against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. Former president Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup, Al Jazeera reported. A runoff is set for 25 October if no candidate wins outright.
Voting was still scheduled for 4 October. Americans needing urgent help were told to use phone channels rather than visit diplomatic buildings.
People Sentiments Negative
- The US embassy advised citizens not to visit diplomatic facilities.
- Ambassador Sophie Davies told Australians to avoid US diplomatic sites.
- The State Department said it was working with Brazilian counterparts on the security concern.