Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil’s former intelligence chief and ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, was briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Orlando, Florida, before being released from custody.
Key Takeaways
Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil's former intelligence chief and ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, was detained by ICE in Orlando but later released. He fled Brazil to avoid serving a 16-year sentence for his role in a coup attempt. Brazilian authorities seek his extradition.
- Alexandre Ramagem arrested then released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Sentenced to 16 years in prison for involvement in Bolsonaro supporters' coup attempt
- Fled Brazil before serving sentence, sought political asylum in the United States
- Brazilian President Lula requests extradition of Ramagem
- Ramagem's allies claim he was detained after minor traffic stop
The 53-year-old fled Brazil in September to avoid serving a 16-year sentence for his role in the coup attempt by Bolsonaro supporters in 2023. Brazilian federal police reported that Ramagem illegally crossed into Guyana and then flew to the U.S., where he had been living as a fugitive.
According to multiple reports, Ramagem was initially detained after a minor traffic violation before being referred to ICE. The Brazilian government has formally requested his extradition following an arrest warrant issued by Brazil's top court for crimes including armed criminal association and attempted coup d'etat.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has asked the United States to send Ramagem back to Brazil so he can serve his sentence. 'I believe Ramagem will come back to Brazil; he has to come back to serve his sentence,' Lula said in an interview with a local news outlet.
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