Brazil's Ex-Highway Chief Nabbed in Paraguay After Bold Escape Bid

Brazil's highest court made a big move. They decided to lock up Silvinei Vasques, the former head of the federal highway police. He was caught in Paraguay trying to skip town. Vasques was on the run after breaking his court-ordered ankle monitor. This guy was no small fish. He was sentenced to over 24 years for his part in a 2023 coup attempt. That's the same plot that landed former President Jair Bolsonaro a 27-year sentence. Vasques was trying to fly to El Salvador using a fake passport. He even took his dog along for the ride.The court document spilled the details. Vasques rented a car and made a break for it from Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina. His escape attempt was so bold that the court decided to throw him in jail instead of just monitoring him. Vasques isn't the only one trying to flee. In November, the Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Alexandre Ramagem, the former intelligence agency director. He had already left the country and was living in the United States. Bolsonaro himself tried to remove his ankle monitor with a soldering iron. He was under house arrest at the time. Vasques' lawyer didn't comment on the escape attempt. The court's decision shows they're serious about keeping these guys in check.