Brazil's fugitive former spy chief Alexandre Ramagem has been released from custody by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). ICE confirmed that it had detained Ramagem on Monday, but has not disclosed the reasons for his detention. The 53-year-old's name is no longer found on the agency's list of individuals in custody, as confirmed by BBC News Brasil.
Ramagem is wanted in Brazil, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in an attempted military coup aimed at keeping former President Jair Bolsonaro in power following his loss in the 2022 election. Previously, he led Brazil's intelligence agency, Abin, but fled to the US in September 2025 before he could be jailed by Brazilian authorities.
Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, announced on social media that the former intelligence chief was 'out and home,' expressing gratitude towards US officials, including former President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for their support.
Ramagem had reportedly requested sanctuary in the US, with Bolsonaro declaring that he deserved 'asylum in the land of liberty.' Brazilian media stated that he was let go on Wednesday, and his release from ICE custody occurred in Orlando, Florida.
A close ally of Bolsonaro, Ramagem is one of seven co-conspirators convicted over the coup attempt and is under investigation for allegedly using his position to spy illegally on critics. Brazilian authorities have declared him a fugitive, and in December, the country's supreme court asked the US to extradite him. Before his release, Brazilian President Lula expressed that Ramagem should return to Brazil to serve his sentence.
Trump has previously referred to Bolsonaro as 'a good president' and described the coup trial as 'a witch hunt,' highlighting the politically charged atmosphere surrounding Ramagem's case.
Ramagem is wanted in Brazil, where he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in an attempted military coup aimed at keeping former President Jair Bolsonaro in power following his loss in the 2022 election. Previously, he led Brazil's intelligence agency, Abin, but fled to the US in September 2025 before he could be jailed by Brazilian authorities.
Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, announced on social media that the former intelligence chief was 'out and home,' expressing gratitude towards US officials, including former President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for their support.
Ramagem had reportedly requested sanctuary in the US, with Bolsonaro declaring that he deserved 'asylum in the land of liberty.' Brazilian media stated that he was let go on Wednesday, and his release from ICE custody occurred in Orlando, Florida.
A close ally of Bolsonaro, Ramagem is one of seven co-conspirators convicted over the coup attempt and is under investigation for allegedly using his position to spy illegally on critics. Brazilian authorities have declared him a fugitive, and in December, the country's supreme court asked the US to extradite him. Before his release, Brazilian President Lula expressed that Ramagem should return to Brazil to serve his sentence.
Trump has previously referred to Bolsonaro as 'a good president' and described the coup trial as 'a witch hunt,' highlighting the politically charged atmosphere surrounding Ramagem's case.
