CNN commentator José Eduardo Cardozo and former senator and journalist Ana Amélia Lemos debated, this Tuesday (22), in The Great Debate (Monday to Friday, at 11pm), about the Ramagem Case: What is the impact of reciprocity against the USA?
The Federal Police adopted one and removed the credentials of an American police officer who worked in Brazil and had access to databases. The decision was taken after the United States requested the departure of the Brazilian delegate, alleging that he had irregularly monitored former federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem.
According to information confirmed by the PF in a statement published on social media, Carvalho, who worked as a liaison officer with ICE (American immigration service), has already returned to Brazil. Ramagem, who was arrested last week in the United States, had his visa canceled by ICE and was released two days later.
The Brazilian government states that it has not yet discussed the reason for Ramagem’s release, nor the reasons that led to the cancellation of the Brazilian delegate’s stay in the United States. The United States Embassy in Brazil, when contacted, did not comment on the withdrawal of the American police officer’s credentials.
Brazilian diplomatic action
The Federal Police’s decision to disqualify the American police officer was moderate, according to analyses. Removing the credential essentially means removing the American employee’s badge, allowing Itamaraty to take other measures if necessary. The disqualification does not amount to a complete expulsion, as the Brazilian delegate was effectively sent back to Brazil.
Itamaraty awaits explanations from the United States government, especially considering that there was a violation of procedure, as the US did not previously inform Brazil about the decision to remove the Brazilian delegate, as provided for in bilateral agreements between the countries.
José Eduardo Cardozo understands that the impact of reciprocity with the USA is that Americans “will complain that we acted the same way they acted.”
“This type of thing is unreasonable. What the United States did at first sight is unacceptable. There was a protocol signed between the countries, a legal document signed between them that establishes liaison officers who work in the integration of the police of the two countries. This Brazilian police officer worked with the competent bodies of the United States of America, with ICE, taking care of these migration issues.”
Cardozo also commented on the importance of the country’s sovereignty. “Something that is absolutely unacceptable, between sovereign countries. What does Brazil have to do? Be haughty. Oh, they did it to us, I do it to you too. This is the situation that international law has always respected. Countries that don’t act in this way are subservient countries, they are countries that kneel.”
Ana Amélia Lemos assesses that the government moderated this situation. “The Federal Police withdrew the credential of an American police officer operating in Brazil, under the same conditions as the Brazilian Federal Police officer operating in the United States in the immigration area. Removing the credential is taking away the American employee’s badge. Expulsion is not reciprocity.”
According to Lemos, there is speculation that the Brazilian delegate may have exceeded his duties by breaking into the ICE information center to obtain data and monitor Ramagem, which would have motivated the American reaction. However, details about the limits of the Federal Police representative’s activities in American territory have not yet been clarified by either party.
“Itamaraty was careful not to create too many problems in this case, especially because in the case of Ramagem, the Brazilian police officer may have exceeded his duties by invading the ICE information center, which is the body in charge of immigration, to obtain information and keep an eye on where Ramagem’s wife could go to identify and arrest her”, stated Lemos
An additional element that complicates the case is the fact that Ramagem has a request for political asylum in the United States, which has not yet been assessed by the American government. Analysts suggest that it would not be surprising if the White House soon granted Ramagem asylum, which could generate new diplomatic tensions between the countries.
