US and Australia suspend diplomatic operations in Brazil before election

Security threats prompt US and Australia to suspend diplomatic operations in Brazil before pivotal election day.The United States has suspended consular services in Brazil, prompting Australia to close its embassy in the Brazilian capital, two days before Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday.In a statement released on Thursday, the US embassy said it would suspend consular services starting on Friday and advised American citizens seeking assistance not to visit its embassy, consulates or other diplomatic facilities.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3The media battle behind Brazil’s electionlist 2 of 3Lula warns against foreign interference in Brazil election at UNlist 3 of 3Brazil’s Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro still essentially tied in new pollend of listThe statement cited security concerns but gave no further detail on the nature of the threat or any link to the election.The US State Department said it was working closely with Brazilian counterparts to address the security concerns, adding that embassies and consulates routinely issue alerts about local threats and developments.Australia’s ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, said on social media that the Australian embassy would also close on Friday, citing the US alert, and advised Australians to avoid US diplomatic facilities.Brazil’s federal police said they carried out preventive search and seizure warrants in Sao Paulo and the Federal District, the administrative region surrounding the capital, Brasilia, as part of an investigation into suspected plans that could threaten US diplomatic facilities.Police said the operation followed cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies, but that investigators had found no evidence corroborating the initially reported threat, nor identified any suspects linked to criminal organisations.An investigation was continuing after the seizure of communications equipment, according to the police.The closures came two days before the Brazilian presidential election, which pits incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is seeking re-election, against Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Jair Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup.