Two days before Brazil's presidential election, the U.S. State Department abruptly announced it was suspending consular services at its embassy and consulates in Brazil starting Friday, October 2, citing unspecified "security concerns." Australia's embassy in Brasilia followed suit, closing its doors on Friday after receiving the American security alert.
"Consular Services in the US Embassy and Consulates in Brazil will be suspended starting Friday, October 2 due to security concerns," the State Department said in a statement Thursday. It advised U.S. citizens needing emergency assistance during the suspension "not to come to the Embassy, the Consulates, or other US diplomatic facilities." The department declined to say what the threat was, when services would resume, or whether the move was linked to Sunday's vote. "We are working closely with our Brazilian counterparts to address the security concerns," a spokesperson said in an email.
Australia's ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, announced on social media that the Australian embassy in Brasilia would also close on Friday due to security concerns, citing the alert issued by the United States. "We also advise avoiding the US Embassy, consulates and other diplomatic facilities in Brazil and surrounding areas," she wrote. Brazil's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazilians vote for president on Sunday, October 4. Leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is seeking re-election against far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Polls put Lula slightly ahead at 39% to 34%. It will be the first presidential election since 2022 — after losing that vote, Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to prison for leading an attempted coup.
Lula has repeatedly warned of foreign interference in the election, including fresh tariffs from Washington. Reuters reported that Brazilian intelligence officials this month briefed a French and German delegation in Brasilia on alleged U.S. and Russian interference ahead of the vote — a sign of growing transatlantic concern over President Trump's support for like-minded candidates, and of potential targets now comparing notes.
Beyond geopolitics, violent crime has dominated voter concerns in election polls, pushing candidates to pledge tougher security measures.
What to watch on Sunday: as much of Latin America shifts right, will Brazil follow the region's conservative wave or chart its own course? And what exactly lies behind Washington's vague "security concerns" may only become clear after the vote.