Release Confirmed by Allies
Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil’s intelligence agency (Abin), has been released from custody in the United States. His release was confirmed on Wednesday by Paulo Figueiredo, a prominent U.S.-based ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro, and corroborated by sources within Brazil’s federal police. Ramagem’s name has also been removed from the online detainee database of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Background of the Detention
Ramagem was originally taken into custody by ICE on Monday in Orlando, Florida. While the Brazilian government has been seeking his extradition, supporters claim the initial stop was related to a minor traffic violation, which then flagged his status to immigration authorities. Ramagem reportedly entered the U.S. last year and has a pending application for political asylum.
Legal Troubles in Brazil
The former intelligence chief is a central figure in several high-profile legal battles in his home country. In September 2025, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to overturn the 2022 election results in favor of Jair Bolsonaro. Brazilian authorities labeled him a fugitive after he fled the country—reportedly via Guyana—to avoid serving his sentence.
Diplomatic Tensions
Ramagem’s presence in the U.S. has become a point of contention between Brasilia and Washington. Following his detention earlier this week, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly urged the U.S. government to extradite Ramagem so he could face justice. Despite his release from ICE custody, his long-term immigration status remains uncertain as the U.S. weighs his asylum claim against Brazil’s formal extradition requests.