Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil’s former intelligence chief, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after fleeing the country in September. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in a plot to prevent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office following the 2022 election.
Ramagem fled Brazil days before the verdict, traveling to Guyana and then to the United States. A senator stated that Ramagem is seeking political asylum, claiming political persecution against former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies. Brazil formally requested his extradition in December.
The arrest concludes a six-month manhunt spanning two continents. Federal police confirmed the arrest of a fugitive sentenced on the same charges as Ramagem, though they did not initially name him. He had previously been stripped of his seat in congress due to his conviction.