The United States suspended consular services in Brazil from Friday and Australia closed its embassy, citing security concerns two days before the presidential election.
The United States suspended consular services at its embassy and consulates in Brazil starting Friday, citing security concerns, and Australia closed its embassy in Brasilia the same day. The moves came two days before Brazil's presidential election on Sunday.
A U.S. embassy statement told American citizens seeking emergency help not to visit the embassy, consulates or other diplomatic facilities. It did not describe the threat in detail or say how long the suspension would last. Australia's ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, said the embassy would close on Friday and advised Australians to avoid U.S. diplomatic sites.
Brazil's federal police said they carried out preventive search warrants in Sao Paulo and the Federal District as part of an inquiry into suspected plans that could threaten U.S. diplomatic facilities. Al Jazeera reported the closures alongside that police action.
Sunday's first round pits President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence related to a coup attempt. A runoff is scheduled for Oct. 25 if no candidate wins outright. The New York Times described the race as closely fought.
Edinho Silva, president of Lula's Workers' Party, called the diplomatic closures unprecedented and said they were a way for Donald Trump to influence Brazilian opinion. Lula allies have also pointed to U.S. tariffs and talk of sending officials to discuss electoral integrity.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Edinho Silva called the closures unprecedented and accused Trump of trying to influence Brazilian opinion
- The U.S. embassy cited security concerns without giving details
- Australia's ambassador advised Australians to avoid U.S. diplomatic facilities