US, Australia Suspend Consular Services Ahead Of Tense Elections In Brazil
US, Australia Suspend Consular Services Ahead Of Tense Elections In Brazil
The US mission in Brazil announced the suspension on Friday, advising American citizens seeking emergency assistance not to visit the embassy, consulates or other US diplomatic facilities during the period.
The United States and Australia have suspended consular services in Brazil, citing security concerns two days before Brazilians vote in a closely contested presidential election.
The US mission in Brazil announced the suspension on Friday, advising American citizens seeking emergency assistance not to visit the embassy, consulates or other US diplomatic facilities during the period.
The mission said the decision was made “due to security concerns” but did not provide further details.
The Australian embassy in Brasilia also announced that it would be closed for the same reason.
Brazilians will vote on Sunday in an election featuring leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
US President Donald Trump has been closely following the election and has expressed support for right-wing political movements across Latin America.
Trump said on Thursday that he was following Brazil’s election “very closely.”
Lula has made Brazilian sovereignty a central theme of his campaign and warned Trump against interfering in the country’s election.
Brazil’s Attorney General, Jorge Messias, on Thursday called for an investigation into allegations that the US government was using public funds to promote a “far-right agenda” in Brazil.
The request followed a report by The Guardian alleging that Washington planned to provide $1 million to civil society groups opposing Brazil’s Supreme Court.
The court has frequently faced criticism from political figures on the right.
The diplomatic security concerns came after a tense evening in Brasilia, where police shut down several streets following a false bomb threat near the Supreme Court.
The court is located close to the US embassy.
