Alexandre Ramagem received aid from illegal mining family in US

An investigation by the Brazilian Federal Police has revealed that the family of Rodrigo Martins de Mello, known as Rodrigo Cataratas, provided material support and housing to Alexandre Ramagem in Florida, USA.

Rodrigo Cataratas was previously sentenced to over 16 years in prison for leading a criminal organization involved in illegal gold and cassiterite mining within the Yanomami Indigenous Territory. WhatsApp messages obtained by investigators show the family assisting Ramagem with documentation and utilities to facilitate his stay in the United States.

Alexandre Ramagem, the former director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) during the Bolsonaro administration, was sentenced by the Supreme Federal Court to 16 years in prison on September 11, 2025, for his role in an attempted coup d'état. The court ruled that he used the Abin structure to monitor political opponents. Following his conviction, Ramagem lost his position in the Federal Police and his mandate as a federal deputy.