US Embassy suspends in-person service in Brazil before elections

The North American embassy's measure was announced on Thursday night (1), two days before the first round of elections. (See more details)

For the campaign, the episode must be analyzed in the context of alleged foreign interference in the electoral process and generates insecurity, projecting instability into the electoral environment.

And it is part, according to the request, of actions of a "very serious development of interference in the Brazilian elections by the North American government, articulated, apparently, directly by the brothers Flávio and Eduardo Bolsonaro".

The text cites a letter written by US senators Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine and Peter Welch addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio in which they warn the Trump Administration against interfering in the Brazilian elections on October 4th.

This Friday (2), the US embassy suspended in-person services in Brasília and in the country's consulates throughout Brazil. According to the US government, the decision was taken for security reasons.

The statement did not detail which consular services were affected nor did it say whether visas and passports would continue to be issued.

The Australian embassy in Brasília also announced that it would remain closed this Friday for security reasons. There was no evidence of a threat directed at the Australian representation. The decision to close the embassy was taken based on the measure adopted by the United States.

This Friday (2), the Federal Police carried out two search and seizure warrants in an investigation into an alleged plan against the United States Embassy in Brazil. The orders were fulfilled in São Paulo (SP) and Águas Lindas (GO), on the outskirts of the Federal District.

The investigation is being carried out under surveillance and has the collaboration of foreign intelligence agencies. Cell phones and computers belonging to the two suspects were seized and will be subjected to forensic examination.

The two targets were identified after posting comments on platforms and social networks. The PF stated that the measures were adopted and that, to date, no elements have been found that confirm the risks initially identified. No suspects of involvement with criminal organizations were also identified.