US and Australia suspend diplomatic operations in Brazil ahead of election

The United States has suspended consular services in Brazil, leading Australia to close its embassy in the Brazilian capital, two days before Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday. In a statement released on Thursday, the US embassy announced the suspension of consular services starting on Friday and advised American citizens seeking assistance not to visit its embassy, consulates, or other diplomatic facilities. The statement cited security concerns but did not provide further details on the nature of the threat or any link to the election. The US State Department indicated it was collaborating with Brazilian counterparts to address the security concerns, noting that embassies and consulates routinely issue alerts regarding local threats and developments. Australia’s ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, stated on social media that the Australian embassy would also close on Friday, referencing the US alert, and advised Australians to avoid US diplomatic facilities. Brazil’s federal police reported executing preventive search and seizure warrants in Sao Paulo and the Federal District, the administrative region surrounding the capital, Brasilia, as part of an investigation into suspected plans that could threaten US diplomatic facilities. Police noted that the operation followed cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies, but investigators found no evidence corroborating the initially reported threat and did not identify any suspects linked to criminal organizations. An investigation is ongoing following the seizure of communications equipment. The closures occurred two days before the Brazilian presidential election, which features incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is seeking re-election, against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup. If neither candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote on Sunday, a runoff will take place on October 25. Edinho Silva, president of Lula’s Workers’ Party, described the closures as 'unprecedented,' stating, 'It makes no sense at all. It’s one of Trump’s ways of trying to influence Brazilian public opinion.' Lula’s allies have pointed to US tariffs and an effort by Washington to send officials to Brazil to 'discuss electoral integrity' as evidence of foreign interference. Brazilian intelligence officials briefed French and German delegations in Brasilia this month on what they characterized as US and Russian interference in the race. US President Donald Trump has publicly praised Flavio Bolsonaro, a close ally, without formally endorsing him, stating he is 'watching that election very closely.'