Guardian

Brazil’s former spy chief who fled country arrested by ICE agents in US

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The Miami Herald

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The Jerusalem Post

Former Brazil spy chief freed from US ICE detention, ally and source say

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The Washington Times

Alexandre Ramagem Former Brazilian Intelligence Chief Arrested Ice

The Straits Times

Brazils fugitive ex-spy chief arrested by ICE agents in the US

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National Today

Former Brazilian Spy Chief Arrested by ICE After Fleeing Coup Plot Conviction

The Washington Post

Brazil Fugitive Congressman Arrested Alexandre Ramagem

New York Post

Former Brazilian spy chief who fled country following coup plot conviction arrested by ICE agents in US

Agência Brasil

ICE prende Alexandre Ramagem nos Estados Unidos

Al Jazeera

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ELMUNDO

Detenido en EEUU el ex jefe de Inteligencia de Bolsonaro, Alexandre Ramagem

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France 24

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Donald Trump

Alexandre de Moraes

Brian Winter

Bernardo Mello Franco

Raphael Trevisan

Diego Muguet

Ana Paula Henkel

Cissa Bailey

Vinicius Carrion

Metaculus

"I think he's an honest man ... This is really a political execution that they're trying to do with Bolsonaro."

"Bolsonaro will not be criminally convicted, but he will be declared ineligible."

"The guilty verdict has already been established and written. Bolsonaro does not stand a chance."

"Bolsonaro will be convicted."

Will Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro Be Found Guilty in the Coup Trial Case?

Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil's former intelligence chief, was released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida on Wednesday after being detained two days prior. ICE listed him as "in custody" on its website, but did not disclose his location.

Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil's former intelligence chief, was released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida on Wednesday after being detained two days prior. ICE listed him as "in custody" on its website, but did not disclose his location.

Brazil's Federal Police said it cooperated with U.S. law enforcement to arrest Ramagem, who had served as director general of Brazil's intelligence agency, ABIN, from 2019 to 2022. However, the U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said it expelled a Brazilian federal police attaché, Marcelo Ivo, stating, "No foreigner gets to game our immigration system" to "circumvent formal extradition requests" and conduct "witch hunts" on U.S. territory.

US Department of State - Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs

Brazil's Federal Police said it cooperated with U.S. law enforcement to arrest Ramagem, who had served as director general of Brazil's intelligence agency, ABIN, from 2019 to 2022. However, the U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said it expelled a Brazilian federal police attaché, Marcelo Ivo, stating, "No foreigner gets to game our immigration system" to "circumvent formal extradition requests" and conduct "witch hunts" on U.S. territory.

Brazilian Senator Jorge Seif said he told the U.S. embassy that Ramagem should not remain in custody, that he was being persecuted at home, and called for political asylum to be granted to him and his family. The reason for his arrest, which came a week after a U.S.-Brazil anti-drug deal was made, is unknown, but his allies said it was for a minor traffic violation.

Brazilian Senator Jorge Seif said he told the U.S. embassy that Ramagem should not remain in custody, that he was being persecuted at home, and called for political asylum to be granted to him and his family. The reason for his arrest, which came a week after a U.S.-Brazil anti-drug deal was made, is unknown, but his allies said it was for a minor traffic violation.

Ramagem was sentenced in September to 16 years in prison by Brazil's supreme court for his roles in "an armed criminal organization," an attempted coup and the "attempted violent abolition of the rule of law."

Ramagem was sentenced in September to 16 years in prison by Brazil's supreme court for his roles in "an armed criminal organization," an attempted coup and the "attempted violent abolition of the rule of law."

Ramagem fled Brazil before beginning his sentence, crossing the border into Guyana by car and boarding a flight to the U.S. using a diplomatic passport that had not been seized.

Ramagem fled Brazil before beginning his sentence, crossing the border into Guyana by car and boarding a flight to the U.S. using a diplomatic passport that had not been seized.

Brazil formally requested Ramagem's extradition from the U.S. in December 2025, submitting the request to the U.S. State Department, and his name was added to Interpol's wanted list. President Lula da Silva said he "think[s] Ramagem is coming back," though Bolsonaro's sons said he was "free" and thanked the U.S. government.

Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazil formally requested Ramagem's extradition from the U.S. in December 2025, submitting the request to the U.S. State Department, and his name was added to Interpol's wanted list. President Lula da Silva said he "think[s] Ramagem is coming back," though Bolsonaro's sons said he was "free" and thanked the U.S. government.

Ramagem's detention by ICE was unsettling, as it appeared political persecution was about to cross borders. Fortunately, the U.S. government isn't playing by the the Lula and Moraes playbook, instead sending home the man Brazil sent to kidnap Ramagem and leaving Ramagem free in the U.S.

Ramagem's detention by ICE was unsettling, as it appeared political persecution was about to cross borders. Fortunately, the U.S. government isn't playing by the the Lula and Moraes playbook, instead sending home the man Brazil sent to kidnap Ramagem and leaving Ramagem free in the U.S.

Jorge Seif Junior

Vicky Richter

Establishment-critical narrative

Ramagem helped orchestrate a coup attempt against Brazil's democracy and then fled to dodge a 16-year sentence — ICE detaining him is exactly how law and order is supposed to work. No amount of political spin changes the fact that coup plotters don't deserve safe haven anywhere. Send him back and let justice run its course.

Ramagem helped orchestrate a coup attempt against Brazil's democracy and then fled to dodge a 16-year sentence — ICE detaining him is exactly how law and order is supposed to work. No amount of political spin changes the fact that coup plotters don't deserve safe haven anywhere. Send him back and let justice run its course.

Davis's Shot

Bill Madden

Pro-establishment narrative

There is a 48% chance President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be reelected as Brazil's president in October of 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 48% chance President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be reelected as Brazil's president in October of 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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Brazil's Ex-Spy Chief Released From ICE Custody

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