US and Australia suspend diplomatic services in Brazil ahead of election

Both governments said the moves were precautionary after Brazil's federal police executed preventive raids.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 04:21:08 GMT

The United States suspended consular services and Australia closed its embassy in Brazil on Friday, two days before the country’s presidential election, citing security concerns, according to statements from both missions.

What happened

Brazil’s federal police carried out preventive search and seizure warrants in São Paulo and the Federal District on Friday, targeting alleged plans that could threaten U.S. diplomatic facilities. Police said the operation was the result of cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies and that no suspects linked to criminal organisations were identified.

What the reports add

Independent reported that the U.S. Embassy issued a security alert on Thursday stating that consular services at the embassy and consulates would be suspended starting Friday and that U.S. citizens should contact a duty officer for assistance. The Australian Embassy in Brasília announced it would also close on Friday, referencing the U.S. alert and urging Australians to avoid U.S. diplomatic sites.

Al Jazeera added that the U.S. State Department said it was working closely with Brazilian counterparts to address the security concerns and noted that embassies and consulates routinely issue alerts about local threats. Australia’s ambassador to Brazil, Sophie Davies, posted on social media that the embassy would close on Friday and advised Australians to stay away from U.S. facilities.

What was said

The U.S. Embassy’s security alert, as quoted by Independent, instructed American citizens not to visit the embassy, consulates or other diplomatic facilities and to contact the appropriate duty officer instead.

Australia’s ambassador Sophie Davies told Al Jazeera that the Australian embassy would close on Friday, citing the U.S. alert and advising Australians to avoid U.S. diplomatic facilities.

How it came about

The suspensions follow weeks of heightened security scrutiny ahead of Brazil’s election, a period that also saw President Lula da Silva’s administration take actions such as the betting‑platform ban (Felo coverage). The federal police raids were described as preventive and stemmed from ongoing cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies, prompting the diplomatic missions to act as a precaution.

Key facts

The United States suspended consular services in Brazil on 2026-10-02. (independent.co.uk)
Australia closed its embassy in Brasília on the same day. (aljazeera.com)
Brazilian federal police executed preventive search and seizure warrants in São Paulo and the Federal District. (independent.co.uk)