Lula Threatens Retaliation Against U.S. Following Expulsion of Brazilian Federal Police Delegate
Brazilian President Lula threatens reciprocal actions against the U.S. after the expulsion of a Brazilian Federal Police delegate involved in arresting a former intelligence official in Florida.
- • President Lula promises reciprocal action if the U.S. abused authority in expelling Brazilian delegate Marcelo Ivo de Carvalho.
- • Carvalho was involved in arresting former Abin director Alexandre Ramagem in Florida, accused of attempting to manipulate U.S. immigration systems.
- • The U.S. ordered Carvalho's departure citing circumventing extradition process and political persecution.
- • Tatiana Alves Torres has been appointed to replace Carvalho to maintain Brazil-U.S. police cooperation.
Key details
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vowed to respond reciprocally if it is confirmed that there was an abuse of authority in the U.S. government's expulsion of Marcelo Ivo de Carvalho, a Brazilian Federal Police delegate stationed in Florida. Carvalho was involved in the arrest of Alexandre Ramagem, former director of Brazil's intelligence agency, Abin, who had fled Brazil to avoid a 16-year prison sentence for conspiracy and was briefly detained in Florida on immigration charges.
The U.S. Department of State accused Carvalho of attempting to circumvent formal extradition procedures by manipulating immigration rules to pursue political persecution and demanded his immediate departure from the country. The U.S. Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs emphasized that no foreign official should misuse American immigration systems to bypass judicial extradition processes.
President Lula expressed his disapproval of what he termed "interference and abuse of authority" and stated he would consider reciprocal action against the United States if confirmed. He declared, "I will not accept this interference and abuse of authority that some Americans want to impose on Brazil." Meanwhile, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira described the news as lacking foundation and said they were awaiting further clarification from U.S. authorities. He highlighted that Carvalho had been collaborating with U.S. counterparts in Miami for over two years, a situation known to all involved agencies.
Federal Police Director Andrei Rodrigues confirmed Carvalho had been on a mission in the U.S. since March 2023, working closely with American Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Carvalho will be replaced by Tatiana Alves Torres, a seasoned Federal Police delegate who will continue facilitating cooperation between Brazil and the U.S.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry has refrained from further comments on the delicate diplomatic issue. Former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro publicly supported the U.S. government's decision. This incident marks a rare diplomatic strain between Brazil and the United States, highlighting sensitivities around legal jurisdiction and political prosecutions involving cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
