Brazil's former spy chief Alexandre Ramagem released from US ICE detention

Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil's fugitive former spy chief, has been released from custody by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

Ramagem was detained on Monday in Orlando, Florida, but ICE has not disclosed the reasons for his detention or details surrounding his release.

Ramagem, 53, fled Brazil in September 2025 to avoid imprisonment after being sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in an attempted military coup.

The coup aimed to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power following his loss in the 2022 election.

He was one of seven co-conspirators convicted alongside Bolsonaro over the coup attempt.

Ramagem also faces investigation for allegedly using his position as head of Brazil's intelligence agency to illegally spy on Bolsonaro's critics, allegations he denies.

Brazilian judicial authorities have declared Ramagem a fugitive, and in December 2025, Brazil's Supreme Court formally requested his extradition from the United States.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has stated that Ramagem must return to Brazil to serve his sentence.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of the former president and a US resident, confirmed Ramagem's release and expressed gratitude to US officials for their handling of the case.

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