State Department suspends U.S. consular services in Brazil ahead of weekend elections
by Vaughn Cockayne · The Washington TimesThe U.S. State Department said it would suspend consular services in Brazil starting Friday, citing “security concerns” just two days before national elections in the country.
The announcement, published first on Thursday, warns U.S. citizens seeking emergency assistance not to come to the U.S. Embassy or any other diplomatic facilities. It also urged citizens to reach out to their appropriate duty officer if in need of emergency assistance.
The alert did not specify what security concerns led to the decision to pause consular services temporarily. The Washington Times has reached out to the State Department for comment.
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The announcement comes just days before the first round of Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday. The outcome of the close race is likely to set the tone for U.S.-Brazilian relations for the rest of President Trump’s term.
Thus far, diplomatic relations between the Trump administration and the government of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil have been strained. Over the summer, Brazil blocked a U.S. delegation from traveling to the country, and the State Department in turn revoked the visa of Brazil’s top diplomat in the U.S., Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.
The two administrations have also clashed over tariffs. Mr. Trump in July said he would impose a 25% tariff on Brazil for adopting unfair trade practices against the U.S. The tariffs applied to a wide range of Brazilian products such as ethanol, oil and gas, oranges and aircraft components.
Mr. Lula’s opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, has been painted as a would-be ally of Mr. Trump if he wins the Sunday election. But Mr. Trump has not officially endorsed any candidate in the contest.
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Vaughn Cockayne
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