Brazil’s Ex-Spy Chief Ramagem Detained and Released by US ICE
Alexandre Ramagem, former Brazilian intelligence chief and ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, was briefly detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida before being released. Ramagem, sentenced to 16 years in Brazil for plotting a coup, had fled to the US and filed for asylum. While Brazilian President Lula requested extradition, US authorities released him without bail, citing procedural immigration grounds. The incident has intensified diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the US, with Bolsonaro’s allies praising the release as protection against political persecution.
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Brazilian Ex-Intelligence Chief Ramagem Released by US ICE, Thanks Trump
Alexandre Ramagem, the former chief of Brazil's intelligence agency and a key ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, was released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a two-day detention in Florida. Ramagem, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Brazil for his involvement in a 2023 coup attempt, had fled the country before serving his sentence. Upon his release, he publicly thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and high-ranking administration officials, although he provided no evidence linking them to his freedom. He noted that his release did not require bail, which is typical in migration cases. Ramagem had previously filed for political asylum in the United States, but his case remains undecided. His arrest occurred on a Monday, coinciding with diplomatic efforts by Brazilian Senator Jorge Seif, who argued that Ramagem faced political persecution in Brazil. Ramagem was stripped of his congressional seat in December following his conviction. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Brazil's judicial outcomes and international asylum claims involving controversial political figures.
AP NewsBrazil's Former Spy Chief Alexandre Ramagem Released from US ICE Detention
Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil's intelligence agency (Abin) and a close ally of jailed ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, has been released from custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ramagem was detained by immigration agents in Orlando, Florida, on Monday, though ICE has not disclosed the specific reasons for his detention or subsequent release. He is currently wanted in Brazil, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in an attempted military coup designed to keep Bolsonaro in power after the 2022 election. Ramagem fled to the United States in September 2025 to avoid imprisonment. Following his release, Bolsonaro's son Eduardo confirmed Ramagem was home and thanked US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their handling of the situation, describing Ramagem as a persecuted national hero deserving of asylum. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva maintains that Ramagem must return to Brazil to serve his sentence. The case highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions regarding extradition requests and political asylum between the two nations.
BBC NewsBrazil’s Fugitive Ex-Spy Chief Alexandre Ramagem Freed from US ICE Detention
Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil’s intelligence agency, has been released from immigration detention in the United States. Ramagem had fled Brazil after being sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in a 2023 coup plot aimed at keeping former President Jair Bolsonaro in power. He was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida following a minor traffic infraction. While Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva requested Ramagem’s extradition to serve his sentence, sources indicate his release is linked to a pending asylum application rather than the extradition request. Far-right commentator Paulo Figueiredo confirmed Ramagem’s freedom, noting that his initial detention was procedural. Ramagem, who illegally crossed into Guyana before flying to the US, was stripped of his congressional seat due to his conviction. This development occurs amidst heightened political tensions, with Bolsonaro currently serving a 27-year prison sentence and former US President Donald Trump having previously criticized the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro’s allies.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraLula Requests US Extradite Ex-Intelligence Chief Ramagem After ICE Arrest
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has formally requested the United States to extradite former intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem following his detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. Ramagem, who fled Brazil in September 2025, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in a coup plot aimed at overturning the 2022 election results and supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro. The alleged conspiracy included plans to assassinate Lula. While Bolsonaro allies downplayed the arrest as a routine traffic incident, Lula expressed confidence that Ramagem would be returned to serve his sentence. This development occurs amidst evolving diplomatic relations between Brazil and the US under President Donald Trump, who previously imposed tariffs and sanctioned Brazilian judges over Bolsonaro's 27-year sentence but has recently eased tensions and established joint security partnerships. Ramagem also faces separate allegations of illegally spying on political rivals while leading Brazil's intelligence agency, ABIN. The extradition request highlights ongoing legal repercussions for participants in the attempted coup against Brazil's democratic institutions.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraFormer Brazilian Intelligence Chief Alexandre Ramagem Arrested by US ICE
Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil’s intelligence agency and a close ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The arrest was confirmed by Brazilian Senator Jorge Seif, who stated that Ramagem is currently in custody and seeking political asylum in the United States. Ramagem had been sentenced to 16 years in prison in September for his involvement in the 2023 coup attempt orchestrated by Bolsonaro supporters. He fled Brazil before beginning his sentence, leading to his status as a fugitive. While Brazil’s federal police confirmed the arrest of an unnamed fugitive in Orlando matching Ramagem’s legal profile, they did not explicitly name him. Senator Seif has contacted the U.S. embassy, arguing that Ramagem faces political persecution in Brazil and urging his release. Ramagem, who was stripped of his congressional seat following his conviction, appears in ICE’s online detainee database, though his specific detention location remains undisclosed. Neither ICE nor Ramagem’s legal team has publicly commented on the situation.
AP NewsBrazilian Ex-Intelligence Chief Alexandre Ramagem Detained by US Immigration Authorities
Alexandre Ramagem, the former director of Brazil's intelligence agency ABIN, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. This development follows his conviction in Brazil for involvement in a coup plot aimed at keeping former President Jair Bolsonaro in power after the 2022 election losses. Brazilian media reports indicate that Ramagem fled Brazil in September, illegally crossing into Guyana before traveling to the United States. The Brazilian government had previously filed extradition requests with the US Department of State in late 2025, seeking his return to serve a 16-year prison sentence. While Brazilian authorities link the detention to these legal efforts, political allies of Bolsonaro claim the arrest stemmed from a minor traffic infraction in Orlando and assert that Ramagem has a pending asylum application. They express optimism about his release rather than deportation. This incident occurs amidst heightened diplomatic tensions, as Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence, a situation that previously drew criticism from US President Donald Trump. The detention highlights ongoing judicial cooperation challenges and political friction between Brazil and the United States regarding high-profile fugitives.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraBrazil's Former Spy Chief Alexandre Ramagem Arrested by ICE in US
Alexandre Ramagem, the former intelligence chief under Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, has been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Ramagem had fled Brazil days before receiving a 16-year prison sentence for his role in plotting a military coup against the democratic government. While Bolsonaro and other cabinet members began serving their sentences, Ramagem escaped to Guyana and subsequently entered the United States, where he remained a fugitive. His arrest appears linked to broader immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration, despite his pending asylum request. Brazilian authorities confirmed the detention results from international cooperation, noting Ramagem is in an irregular immigration situation. Previously, Ramagem used spy software to illegally monitor Supreme Court justices and opponents. Although Brazil formally requested extradition in December, US officials currently hold him on immigration grounds. This development marks a significant step in holding accountable those involved in the attempted overthrow of Brazil's elected government, amidst ongoing political tensions between far-right factions in both nations.
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