Brazil ex-intelligence chief freed in US as extradition question lingers

Former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem has been released from immigration detention in the United States, adding a new twist to an already complex legal and political case spanning two countries.

The development was first announced on Wednesday by Paulo Figueiredo, a Brazil-based commentator living in the US.

“Alexandre Ramagem is free,” he wrote in a post on X.

A source within Brazil’s federal police later confirmed the release to Reuters, while Ramagem’s name was no longer listed in the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee database. US authorities have not publicly commented on the case.

Ramagem had been detained in Florida earlier this week after entering the United States following his conviction in Brazil. In September, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in a 2023 coup attempt linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Brazilian investigators say he left the country before beginning his sentence, reportedly crossing into Guyana before flying to the US.

His legal situation remains unresolved. Brazil has formally requested his extradition, with documentation submitted by its embassy in Washington on December 30, 2025. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reiterated this week that he expects Ramagem to be returned to serve his sentence.

However, the circumstances of Ramagem’s detention and release in the US point to a more complicated process. According to Figueiredo, the initial encounter with authorities in Orlando was linked to a minor traffic stop, after which Ramagem was referred to immigration officials. He also said Ramagem has a pending asylum application, which could influence the timeline and outcome of any extradition decision.

The case sits within a broader political backdrop. Ramagem, a former lawmaker, lost his congressional seat in December following his conviction. The coup case itself remains a point of contention among Bolsonaro’s allies, who have criticised the proceedings, while Brazilian authorities continue to pursue accountability for the events of 2023.

Bolsonaro, who was also convicted in September, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence. His trial has drawn international attention, including from US President Donald Trump, who previously criticised the proceedings and imposed tariffs on Brazil before later easing them as relations with Lula improved.