U.S., Australia close diplomatic facilities in Brazil ahead of election

The United States suspended consular services at its embassy and consulates in Brazil on Friday over unspecified security concerns, prompting Australia to close its embassy in Brasília two days before the country's presidential election.

The U.S. State Department did not specify the nature of the security concerns or link them directly to Sunday's vote. It said it was working with Brazilian authorities but did not say when consular services would resume.

Brazil's Federal Police carried out searches in São Paulo and near Brasília on Friday as part of an investigation into alleged threats against U.S. diplomatic facilities.

Police said they had so far found no concrete evidence of a threat and had not identified suspects linked to criminal organisations.

Australia's ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, said the Australian embassy in Brasília would also close on Friday because of security concerns, citing the U.S. alert. She advised Australians to avoid U.S. diplomatic facilities in Brazil.

Brazil's Foreign Ministry declined to comment.

Election tensions

The U.S. announcement comes as Brazil prepares for Sunday's presidential election, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seeking another term against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

If no candidate wins more than 50% of valid votes, a runoff is scheduled for 25 October.

Relations between Washington and Brasília have become strained during the campaign. Lula and his allies have accused the Trump administration of attempting to influence Brazilian politics, pointing to U.S. tariffs and Washington's efforts to discuss electoral integrity.

The White House has rejected allegations of election interference. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly praised Flavio Bolsonaro but has not formally endorsed a candidate, according to Reuters.

Edinho Silva, president of Lula's Workers' Party, called the diplomatic closures unprecedented and accused Trump of trying to influence Brazilian public opinion.

Brazilian intelligence officials have also briefed European counterparts on what they described as U.S. and Russian interference in the election, according to Reuters. Washington and Moscow have rejected such allegations.

The closures add to security concerns surrounding an election campaign in which violent crime has been among voters' key concerns.

Read more:

• Flavio Bolsonaro faces financial crimes probe weeks before Brazil election
• Brazil considers broader retaliation as tariff row with U.S. deepens
• U.S. revokes Brazilian ambassador's visa as diplomatic dispute deepens

Tags

News Politics United States Brazil Flavio Bolsonaro Australia Brazil election Donald Trump