Rodrigo Cataratas linked to luxury assets and businesses in the US

Rodrigo Martins de Mello, known as Rodrigo Cataratas, is a fugitive from Brazilian justice following a preventive arrest warrant issued by Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes. Cataratas was convicted in the first instance for leading illegal mining operations in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory and was later accused of assisting in the escape of Alexandre Ramagem, a former director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin).

A joint investigation by Agência Pública and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has revealed that while Cataratas maintains a loud social media presence in Brazil, he has led a discreet life in the United States. Investigations found that he holds business interests in Florida, ranging from yacht rentals to demolition and e-commerce. The investigation also noted that he is a registered Republican voter in Florida.

His request for habeas corpus was denied by Minister Cármen Lúcia on October 19, as the arrest warrant remains unfulfilled due to his current whereabouts being unknown.