The Brazilian federal police could see services – such as Amazon rainforest protection – reduced due to a budget shortfall in 2023, a report from Reuters says.

Flavio Dino, a member of the justice and public security team for President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s transition team, said budget issues could restrict expenses for federal agents and also fuel for vehicles.

“It is very difficult to provide security if there is no possibility of paying daily wages,” Dino said at a news conference.

While the Brazil Federal Police said it would not comment on the matter, spending restrictions meant that last week, federal police suspended the issuance of new passports.