In brief
Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil's intelligence agency, was recently released from detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ramagem is wanted in Brazil for his involvement in an attempted military coup to retain former President Bolsonaro in power after the 2022 elections. Despite his release, Brazilian authorities have declared him a fugitive and requested his extradition.
Brazil's fugitive former spy chief Alexandre Ramagem has been released from custody by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). ICE confirmed it had detained Ramagem on Monday, but has not provided details surrounding the reasons for his detainment. According to BBC News Brasil, his name no longer appears on the agency's list of detainees.Ramagem is sought in Brazil where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in an attempted military coup aimed at keeping former President Jair Bolsonaro in power following his loss in the 2022 election. The 53-year-old escaped to the US in September 2025, avoiding Brazilian authorities before he could be jailed.Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of Jair Bolsonaro, announced on social media that Ramagem was 'out and home,' expressing gratitude to US political figures for their 'sensitivity' regarding his situation. He referred to Ramagem as a 'true national hero' and mentioned the ongoing discussions around granting him asylum in the United States.Reports from Brazilian media indicated that he was released on Wednesday, although ICE has not commented regarding his circumstances after detainment in Florida.As a close ally to Bolsonaro, Ramagem was one of seven co-conspirators convicted in connection with the military coup. He is currently under investigation for allegedly misusing his authority at Abin, Brazil's intelligence agency, to spy on critics of Bolsonaro, which he has vehemently denied.While Brazilian judicial authorities have labeled Ramagem a fugitive, President Lula has stated that he must return to Brazil to serve his sentence. Additionally, Brazil's Supreme Court has requested Ramagem's extradition from the US.In past comments, Donald Trump has praised Bolsonaro and referred to the coup trial as a 'witch hunt,' expressing surprise at the length of Bolsonaro's sentence.
