By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The political crisis in the United States over the building of the U.S.-Mexican border wall has affected Americans and would-be Brazilian tourists. U.S. diplomatic and consular services in Brazil have been reduced due to the US government’s shutdown, according to officials.
“Due to the U.S. Government budget lapse, the US Embassy in BSB and the U.S. Embassy in Rio, SP (São Paulo), Recife, POA (Porto Alegre) and our office in BH (Belo Horizonte) are operating on a limited basis until further notice,” reads the statement issued by the U.S. government on its website.
“We will continue to provide essential services to U.S. citizens and visa seekers,” added consular officials on social media.
According to U.S. officials any changes in services will be posted on their website and social networks.
The budget crisis in the United States was caused by the impasse between the Trump Administration and the US Congress. The country has been undergoing a budget paralysis since Dec. 22, after the House of Deputies failed to approve funds for Trump to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.
With the refusal, President Trump refuses to sign the budget agreement, resulting in a partial shutdown of federal agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Attempts by the The Rio Times staff to reach officials in the São Paulo consulates were unsuccessful.