Due to security threats, the United States and Australia suspended diplomatic operations in Brazil ahead of the crucial election day.
Published October 3, 2026
Australia has closed its embassy in Brazil’s capital two days before Sunday’s presidential election, after the United States suspended its consular services in the country.
In a statement Thursday, the U.S. Embassy announced it would suspend consular services starting Friday and advised U.S. citizens seeking assistance not to visit embassies, consulates, or other diplomatic facilities.
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The statement cited security concerns but did not elaborate on the nature of the threat or its connection to the election.
The US State Department said it is working closely with the Brazilian side to address security concerns, adding that its embassies and consulates regularly issue alerts about threats and developments on the ground.
Australia’s ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davis, said on social media that the Australian embassy would also be closed on Friday due to the US alert and advised Australians to avoid US diplomatic facilities.
Brazil’s Federal Police said it executed a preventive search and seizure warrant in the Federal District, an administrative region surrounding São Paulo and the capital Brasilia, as part of an investigation into a suspected plot that could threaten U.S. diplomatic facilities.
Police said the operation was carried out in cooperation with foreign intelligence services, but investigators have found no evidence to support the initially reported threat and have not identified any suspects connected to a criminal organization.
Police said the investigation continues after the communication equipment was seized.
The closure comes two days before Brazil’s presidential election, which is contested by incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is seeking re-election, and Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup.
If neither candidate receives more than 50% of the vote on Sunday, a runoff election will be held on October 25th.
Edinho Silva, leader of Lula’s Labor Party, called the closure “unprecedented” and said it “makes absolutely no sense. It’s one of Trump’s tools to influence public opinion in Brazil.”
Lula’s allies point to U.S. tariffs and the U.S. government’s efforts to send officials to Brazil to “discuss election integrity” as evidence of foreign interference.
Brazilian intelligence officials briefed French and German delegations in Brasilia this month about American and Russian interference in the race.
US President Donald Trump has publicly praised his close ally Flavio Bolsonaro without publicly endorsing him, saying he is “watching the election very closely.”
