US, Australia suspend diplomatic services in Brazil

The United States suspended consular services at its embassy and consulates in Brazil on Friday (October 2), while Australia closed its embassy in Brasilia, citing security concerns just two days before Brazil’s presidential election.

The US Embassy said consular services would remain suspended from Friday and advised US citizens not to visit diplomatic facilities, even in emergencies. Washington did not specify the nature of the security threat or directly link the decision to Sunday’s election, saying it was working closely with Brazilian authorities. 

Australia subsequently closed its embassy in Brasilia following the US alert. Brazilian Federal Police also conducted searches over alleged threats against US diplomatic facilities but said no concrete evidence had been found to substantiate the risks initially identified.