Crime · 16 April, 2026 · 1 min read
US ICE Releases Fugitive Brazilian Ex-Spy Chief Alexandre Ramagem After Two Days
Former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem was detained by U.S. ICE in Orlando, Florida. He was released from U.S. immigration detention two days later; no public reason given.
Status after detention.
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BBC
“The 53-year-old's name no longer appears on the agency's list of those in its custody, BBC News Brasil has confirmed.”Read the original ↗
Al Jazeera
“Former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem has been freed from immigration detention in the United States, where he had fled after being convicted in connection with a coup plot in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro.”Read the original ↗
Shows a shift from reporting him as detained to reporting him as released, with different framings of his current status.
Ramagem's Detention and Release
Ramagem was released from ICE custody just two days after being detained. He fled Brazil after being sentenced to 16 years for his role in an attempted military coup. He was detained following a traffic stop for a minor violation.
Paulo Figueiredo announced Ramagem is free and at home. Brazil formally requested his extradition in December.
Flight and Extradition Efforts
Ramagem left Brazil clandestinely, crossing into Guyana before entering the US. His whereabouts were discovered after police located a vehicle he used. He was considered a fugitive after leaving before serving his sentence.
The Brazilian government began extradition proceedings in December. ICE's detention was due to immigration status, not the formal extradition request.
Political Reactions and Asylum
Bolsonaro's son called Ramagem a true national hero. President Lula said Ramagem must return to Brazil to serve his sentence.
Ramagem was expected to remain in the US while his asylum request is adjudicated. The release added complexity to the diplomatic battle between Brazil and the US.