Former Brazilian Intelligence Chief Released from US Immigration Detention

Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazilian intelligence, has been released from U.S. immigration detention. Ramagem fled Brazil in September following a conviction for his role in a 2023 coup attempt. His release was announced Wednesday by U.S.-based commentator Paulo Figueiredo.

A source from Brazil’s federal police also confirmed the release of the lawmaker. As of Wednesday, Ramagem no longer appears on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee website. ICE has not yet provided an official comment regarding his status.

Ramagem was sentenced to 16 years in prison last September for supporting Jair Bolsonaro. He reportedly fled Brazil by crossing illegally into Guyana before flying to the United States. Consequently, he was stripped of his seat in the Brazilian Congress last December.

The Brazilian government is currently pursuing the extradition of the former official. According to Globo, the Brazilian embassy filed paperwork with the U.S. Department of State on December 30, 2025. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated Tuesday that he requested the U.S. return Ramagem to Brazil. He also attributed the arrest to Ramagem's conviction.

Paulo Figueiredo claimed the Florida detention was unrelated to the extradition request. He stated that Ramagem was detained in Orlando following a minor traffic violation. Figueiredo also noted that Ramagem currently has a pending asylum application.

The legal situation involves former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence. While allies called his trial a political witch-hunt, former U.S. President Donald Trump previously imposed tariffs on Brazil in protest. Trump later reduced those tariffs after relations with President Lula improved.