US Immigration Detains Former Brazilian Intelligence Chief

Former Brazilian Intelligence Chief Detained by US Immigration Authorities

Alexandre Ramagem, a former intelligence chief in Brazil, has been detained by US immigration authorities. According to reports, Ramagem was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday.

Ramagem had fled Brazil after being convicted of involvement in a coup plot on behalf of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The Brazilian government had sought his extradition, with Ramagem facing a 16-year prison sentence for his role in efforts to keep Bolsonaro in power following the 2022 election.

The arrest took place in Florida, according to reports from Globo. Paulo Figueiredo, a political ally of Bolsonaro living in the US, stated that Ramagem was detained after being stopped by police for a minor traffic infraction and subsequently referred to ICE. Figueiredo also mentioned that Ramagem has a pending asylum application.

The Brazilian embassy in Washington, DC had filed documentation with the US Department of State seeking Ramagem’s extradition on December 30, 2025. However, Al Jazeera could not verify the reason for Ramagem’s arrest by US authorities.

Source: Al Jazeera