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

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Alexandre Ramagem Former Brazilian Intelligence Chief Arrested Ice

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

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Vinicius Carrion

"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 the arrest resulted from international cooperation between Brazilian and U.S. law enforcement. Ramagem had served as director general of Brazil's intelligence agency, ABIN, from 2019 to 2022.

Brazil's Federal Police said the arrest resulted from international cooperation between Brazilian and U.S. law enforcement. Ramagem had served as director general of Brazil's intelligence agency, ABIN, from 2019 to 2022.

Brazilian Senator Jorge Seif said he informed 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 informed 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.

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

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

Brazilian Sen. Jorge Seif said he informed the U.S. embassy in Brasilia that Ramagem should not remain in custody, arguing he was being persecuted at home, and called for political asylum to be granted to Ramagem and his family.

Brazilian Sen. Jorge Seif said he informed the U.S. embassy in Brasilia that Ramagem should not remain in custody, arguing he was being persecuted at home, and called for political asylum to be granted to Ramagem and his family.

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

Brazil formally requested Ramagem's extradition from the United States in December 2025, submitting the request to the U.S. State Department. His name was also added to Interpol's list of wanted fugitives.

Brazil formally requested Ramagem's extradition from the United States in December 2025, submitting the request to the U.S. State Department. His name was also added to Interpol's list of wanted fugitives.

Ramagem's detention by ICE proves that political persecution now crosses borders — a man sentenced in Brazil's deeply compromised judicial system has been hunted down abroad. Alexandre de Moraes has turned opposition into an international crime, making exile impossible for anyone who dared challenge the current order.

Ramagem's detention by ICE proves that political persecution now crosses borders — a man sentenced in Brazil's deeply compromised judicial system has been hunted down abroad. Alexandre de Moraes has turned opposition into an international crime, making exile impossible for anyone who dared challenge the current order.

Jorge Seif Junior

Vicky Richter

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

There is a 50% 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 50% chance President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be reelected as Brazil's president in October of 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images

Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images

Brazil's Ex-Spy Chief Detained by ICE in Florida

Brazil

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Immigration & refugees

United States of America

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.

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.

Brazil's Ex-Spy Chief Released From ICE Custody

Brazil's Ex-Spy Chief Released From ICE Custody

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Brazil's Ex-Spy Chief Released From ICE Custody

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