Brazil's Former Intelligence Chief Released by ICE

Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil's former intelligence chief, was released by US Immigration after two days of detention. While he thanked President Trump for his release, he provided no evidence of Trump's involvement. Ramagem had been facing a 16-year sentence in Brazil for his role in a coup attempt.

Brazil's former intelligence agency chief Alexandre Ramagem was freed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a brief two-day detention, announced Thursday. Despite thanking US President Donald Trump for his freedom, there was no hard evidence linking the leader to the release, which occurred without standard bail payments.

Ramagem, who previously served as a lawmaker, faced a 16-year prison sentence in Brazil following his involvement in a coup attempt supporting ex-President Jair Bolsonaro in 2023. He fled Brazil before serving his sentence and subsequently sought refuge abroad.

His arrest took place in Florida on the same day as Brazilian senator Jorge Seif's appeal to US officials in Brasilia, advocating that Ramagem's detention was a domestic political persecution. While Ramagem has filed for political asylum, a decision remains pending, with ICE withholding comments on his case.

(With inputs from agencies.)