Brazil's Former Spy Chief Released from US Custody

Fugitive Brazilian Official Freed

Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil's intelligence agency (Abin), has been released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The 53-year-old had been detained on Monday, though ICE has not disclosed the reasons for his apprehension or subsequent release.

Ramagem is a wanted man in Brazil, where he received a 16-year prison sentence for his involvement in an attempted military coup. This plot aimed to maintain former President Jair Bolsonaro in power following his defeat in the 2022 election. He absconded to the US in September 2025 to evade Brazilian authorities.

Political Allegiances and Allegations

Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of the former President and residing in the US, confirmed Ramagem's release, expressing gratitude to US political figures. He lauded Ramagem as a "national hero" deserving of asylum.

Brazilian judicial authorities have declared Ramagem a fugitive, and the country's Supreme Court formally requested his extradition from the US in December. Beyond the coup attempt, Ramagem is also under investigation for allegedly using his position at Abin to illegally surveil Bolsonaro's critics, an accusation he denies.

President Lula has previously stated that Ramagem "must return to Brazil to serve his sentence."