US Suspends Consular Services in Brazil
Brazil – The United States and Australia suspended consular services in Brazil on Friday due to security concerns, adding an international dimension to the tense final days of the presidential election between incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his rival Flavio Bolsonaro. Washington closed its consulate in Brasilia without providing specific details, while Canberra made a similar decision regarding its embassy for the same stated reasons. The move comes as both candidates launch last-ditch efforts to secure voter support ahead of Sunday’s vote, with US President Donald Trump closely monitoring the outcome given his advocacy for rightward shifts in Latin American politics.
Edinho Silva, president of Lula’s Workers’ Party (PT), criticized the closure of US consulates, stating that it makes absolutely no sense and serves as one of the ways Trump vies for Brazilian public opinion. The campaign has been dominated by scandals and insults, deepening political polarization rather than easing it. Veteran leftist Lula, aged 80, is locked in a dead heat with Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. Opinion polls predict the race will go to a runoff on October 25, with Felipe Nunes, director of the Quaest polling institute, noting that while the race is tied, it is not at a standstill.
Voter disillusionment is widespread among Brazil’s 160 million registered voters. Marcelo Vilanova, a 32-year-old fish market manager in Juiz de Fora, described voting for Lula as choosing the lesser of two evils. Conversely, Lucas Sales, a 38-year-old cell phone shop owner, supports Flavio Bolsonaro despite acknowledging he is not the best option, citing promises to be tough on crime—a primary concern for many Brazilians. The scramble for undecided voters has led both sides to exploit any potential advantage, including religious symbolism. Rumors emerged that Flavio Bolsonaro planned to strip Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil’s patron saint, of her status if elected. Bolsonaro issued fierce denials, while Lula campaigned clutching a statue of the saint, declaring such interference unacceptable. The electoral court ordered the removal of posts containing untrue claims.
Tensions escalated further when Lula commented that men are cowards regarding prostate exams compared to women’s gynecological care, leading to social media clips being misinterpreted as allusions to abuse. Gisele Sousa, a 45-year-old clothing shop employee, remarked that the campaign had turned into a circus, prompting her to withhold her vote from both candidates. Lula also expressed confidence in a first-round victory, dismissing his rival as unqualified even to serve as a building manager. Seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, Lula highlighted his fitness despite his age and emphasized Brazilian sovereignty, warning Trump against meddling. His administration has reduced inflation and unemployment while curbing Amazon deforestation, though voters remain frustrated by high living costs and violence. To win over skeptics, Lula increased social welfare payments and banned sports betting. Flavio Bolsonaro, confident of a first-round win, vowed to oust Lula, stating Brazil can no longer stand him. Despite investigations into corruption related to the financing of a biopic about his father, the senator remains a formidable opponent.
This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.
