Former Brazilian Intelligence Chief Thanks US Government After Being Released by ICE

Alexandre Ramagem was jailed for 16 years for his role in an alleged attempted coup in 2023 by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters.

Alexandre Ramagem (R), mayoral pre-candidate for Rio de Janeiro, speaks as former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (L) listens, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 18, 2024. Bruna Prado/AP

Alexandre Ramagem, a former chief of the Brazilian intelligence agency and a close ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was released from detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 16.

In a video posted on YouTube, Ramagem thanked people at the top of the Trump administration for his release, though there is no evidence that any political influence was used to secure his release.