Interpol issues orange notice to recapture two Brazilians who fled Palmasola

Interpol has issued an orange notice, an international alert for dangerous individuals, to aid in the recapture of two Brazilian nationals who escaped from Bolivia's Palmasola prison. Alex Heleno da Silva and Fernando Junior da Silva fled the facility during a power outage in the early hours of Wednesday. Both men have significant criminal histories, and one was awaiting extradition to Brazil.

The alert has been integrated into Interpol's I-247 system, making information about the fugitives available to member countries. Bolivian authorities are collaborating with their Brazilian counterparts to gather intelligence on the escapees' potential routes and current whereabouts. "We are working in coordination with our peers in Brazil to use the maximum possible information about these two subjects," a police official stated.

Initial investigations suggest the fugitives used tied-together bedsheets to rappel down from an internal structure before scaling the perimeter wall. The escape has led to an internal investigation, with three police officers imprisoned as authorities probe potential security lapses, negligence, or complicity that may have facilitated the evasion.

Alex Heleno da Silva's case is particularly notable, as he was held in Palmasola pending extradition to Brazil, where he faces charges related to robbery and organized crime. Bolivian courts had approved the extradition process, and the Brazilian diplomatic representation in Bolivia had also been pursuing his handover. However, his escape occurred before the extradition could be finalized. In Bolivia, he had also been linked to investigations into violent incidents.

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We are working in coordination with our peers in Brazil to use the maximum possible information about these two subjects.