Brazil's former spy chief released from ICE detention

Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil’s former spy chief and a close ally of jailed ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, has been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Orlando, Florida. Ramagem was detained by ICE earlier this week, but the agency has not disclosed the reasons for his arrest or details surrounding his release. The 53-year-old fled to the United States in September 2025 to avoid serving a 16-year prison sentence in Brazil for his involvement in an attempted military coup aimed at keeping Bolsonaro in power after the 2022 election. Ramagem was convicted alongside Bolsonaro and six others for conspiring to overturn the election results. He also faces allegations of illegally spying on Bolsonaro’s political opponents during his tenure as head of Brazil’s intelligence agency, Abin, charges he denies. Brazil’s Supreme Court has declared him a fugitive and formally requested his extradition from the United States. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has emphasized that Ramagem must return to Brazil to serve his sentence. The release has drawn political attention, with Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo, who resides in the U.S., publicly thanking former U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their handling of Ramagem’s case. Bolsonaro himself has called for Ramagem to be granted asylum in the U.S., describing him as a “true national hero” persecuted for his loyalty. Trump has previously expressed support for Bolsonaro, criticizing the legal proceedings against him and labeling the coup trial a “witch hunt.” Ramagem’s release adds complexity to the ongoing political and judicial tensions between Brazil and the United States, highlighting the challenges of international cooperation in high-profile extradition cases involving politically charged figures. The situation remains fluid as Brazilian authorities continue to seek his return to face justice.