The United States and Australia temporarily suspended consular services in Brazil on Friday, citing security concerns just two days before the country’s presidential election. The closures affected the US Embassy and its consulates, as well as the Australian Embassy in Brasilia.
Brazil’s federal police conducted search and seizure operations in Sao Paulo and the Federal District as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected threats against US diplomatic facilities. Authorities described the operation as preventive and said it stemmed from cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies. Despite the initial concerns, police reported that no evidence was found to support the alleged risks, nor were any suspects linked to criminal organizations identified. The investigation is continuing following the confiscation of communication equipment.
In a statement released Thursday, the US Embassy in Brazil announced the suspension of consular services starting Friday. The embassy advised US citizens not to visit diplomatic facilities in person and instead to contact duty officers for assistance. Similarly, the Australian Embassy cited the US security alert when announcing its own closure and urged Australian nationals to avoid US diplomatic locations.
The US State Department confirmed its engagement with Brazilian authorities to address the security issues but described the suspension as a routine precaution. The department noted that US embassies regularly issue alerts to inform citizens of local threats, events, or changes to consular services.
The precautionary measures come amid heightened tensions surrounding Brazil’s upcoming presidential election, reflecting concerns about the safety of diplomatic missions during sensitive political periods.