Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil’s former intelligence chief, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention on Wednesday after being held since Monday in Florida. He had fled Brazil in September following a 16-year prison sentence for his role in a 2023 coup attempt linked to former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Ramagem expressed gratitude to the U.S. government and members of the Trump administration for his release, stating no bail was required. He had previously filed for political asylum, a case that remains pending. His detention occurred the same day Brazilian senator Jorge Seif requested his release from the U.S. embassy in Brasilia, alleging persecution.
Reports indicate Ramagem was removed from ICE’s detainee database on Wednesday. ICE has not commented on the release. He was previously stripped of his seat in Brazil’s congress due to his conviction.