US and Australia suspend consular services in Brazil ahead of election citing security concerns

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — U.S. consular services and the Australian embassy in Brazil closed Friday citing security concerns, two days before the country's presidential election, authorities from both countries said.

Also on Friday, Brazil’s federal police said they executed search and seizure warrants in Sao Paulo and the Federal District as part of an investigation into suspected plans that could threaten U.S. diplomatic facilities in Brazil.

Police described the operation as preventive and said it resulted from ongoing cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies. Investigators found no evidence to corroborate the initial reported risks, nor had they identified any suspects as being involved in criminal organizations.

An investigation is ongoing following the seizure of communication equipment, police said.

In a statement dated Thursday, the U.S. Embassy issued a security alert saying it would be suspending consular services at the embassy and consulates starting Friday.

The alert advised U.S. citizens seeking assistance not to visit the embassy, consulates or other diplomatic facilities, and instead contact the appropriate duty officer.

The Australian Embassy in Brasilia also said it was closing on Friday, citing the U.S. alert and advising Australians to avoid U.S. diplomatic facilities.

Asked Friday by The Associated Press about the suspension of consular services in Brazil, the U.S. State Department said it was working closely with its Brazilian counterparts to address security concerns.

U.S. embassies and consulates routinely issue alerts notifying U.S. citizens of threats, events, and changes happening locally, the department said.

Brazilians will vote on Sunday in a high-stakes presidential election. The front-runners are incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro who is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup.

If neither wins more than 50% of the vote, a runoff vote will take place on Oct. 25.

Asked at the White House whether he would be supporting Bolsonaro in the election, U.S. President Donald Trump said: “Well, we’re looking at that whole thing, and we’re watching that election very closely.”

Bolsonaro is a Trump ally.

Matthew Lee and Collin Binkley contributed to this report from Washington.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Security personnel stand behind barricades outside the U.S. Embassy after consular services were suspended due to security concerns in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A supporter of presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro carries a cutout depicting him during a campaign event at central bus station in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Security personnel stand outside the U.S. Embassy after consular services were suspended due to security concerns in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for reelection, center, accompanied by Senate candidates Benedita da Silva, right, and Pedro Paulo, attends a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers fired new play-by-play television broadcaster Braiden Bell on Thursday when inappropriate social media posts that he made as a teenager resurfaced just hours after the team announced his hiring.

“The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist, or harmful comments,” the team said in a statement Thursday night. “Social media posts made by our recently announced play-by-play broadcaster are in clear violation of team and league policies, as well as our values and expectations. Therefore, we will not be moving forward with this broadcaster.”

Bell had been the play-by-play announcer for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and the G League’s Valley Suns before the Trail Blazers announced they had hired him on Thursday to replace longtime broadcaster Kevin Calabro.

Hours after the 29-year-old Bell was hired, posts surfaced that Bell made on his X account in 2012 and 2013, when the platform was known as Twitter. The posts were first reported by KGW-TV in Portland.

Bell apologized in a social media post Friday.

“I am deeply sorry for the language that I used on Twitter. These tweets, while wrong, were written by me 14 years ago while I was only 15 years old and have no reflection of who I am today,” he said. “I do not take lightly any harm it causes now. I regret this being my first impression to many of you online, but I can take solace in knowing that the people who truly know me understand that this is not the kind of person I am. Again, I’d like to apologize to anyone who was hurt by my words and will continue to always treat people with kindness and respect.”

The Blazers said in a statement: “We did not meet our own bar in this process, and for that we apologize to Blazers fans and to Rip City. We believe strongly that everyone who is a part of Rip City should feel welcome and safe and we will make sure that our new broadcaster reflects these values. We will do better.”

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

The Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers, is seen before the NBA basketball team's media day in Portland, Ore., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)