Brazil’s fugitive ex-intel chief detained by US immigration authorities

Brazilian media reports that Alexandre Ramagem fled the state aft being convicted for engagement successful a coup plot.

Brazilian media person reported that the country’s erstwhile quality chief, Alexandre Ramagem, has been detained by migration authorities successful the United States, wherever helium had fled aft being convicted successful transportation with a coup crippled connected behalf of erstwhile right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro.

CNN Brazil reported that Ramagem was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) connected Monday, citing Brazilian Federal Police and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The Brazilian outlet Globo reported that the apprehension took spot successful Florida.

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The Brazilian authorities has sought the extradition of Ramagem, who was sentenced to 16 years successful situation for his engagement successful efforts to support Bolsonaro successful powerfulness aft helium mislaid the country’s 2022 predetermination to leftist challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Reports authorities that Ramagem fled Brazil successful September, illegally crossing the borderline into Guyana earlier taking a level to the US.

Globo reported that the Brazilian embassy successful Washington, DC filed documentation with the US Department of State seeking his extradition connected December 30, 2025.

Paulo Figueiredo, a governmental state of Bolsonaro who lives successful the US, said the detention was not related to Brazil’s extradition request.

“Ramagem was not arrested, but detained pursuing a constabulary attack successful Orlando, initially for a insignificant postulation infraction and, subsequently, referred to ICE – a communal process successful Florida,” Figueiredo said successful a societal media post.

He added that Ramagem has a pending asylum exertion and is optimistic that helium volition beryllium released “as soon arsenic possible” alternatively than deported.

Al Jazeera is not capable to verify the crushed for Ramagem’s apprehension by US authorities.

Bolsonaro himself is presently serving a 27-year situation condemnation aft being convicted successful September.

His proceedings was depicted by Bolsonaro’s allies arsenic a governmental witch hunt, and sparked the ire of US President Donald Trump, who placed ample tariffs connected Brazil and called for the proceedings to beryllium thrown out. Trump aboriginal relaxed immoderate of those tariffs pursuing improved relations with President Lula.