The United States announced that, starting Friday, it would suspend services at its embassy and consulates in Brazil, citing “security concerns.” The measure comes two days before the first round of the presidential election, amid political tensions and incidents in the capital, Brasilia.
The U.S. diplomatic mission urged American citizens in need of emergency assistance not to go to the embassy, consulates or other diplomatic facilities. Washington provided no details about the nature of the threat and did not say when services would resume.
The Australian Embassy also announced that it would be closed on Friday for security reasons, without providing further explanations.
In Brazil, the election’s main contenders are left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Donald Trump said he was closely following the election, while Lula asked him not to interfere in the electoral process.
The U.S. Embassy’s decision came after a false bomb alert near Brazil’s Supreme Court in Brasilia, located next to the embassy. Although no explosives were found, security at the diplomatic mission was increased.
Sources
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