Listening Devices Found in Acting Rio Governor's Palácio Guanabara Office

Overview

• A routine sweep by the Gabinete de Segurança Institucional uncovered listening devices in Ricardo Couto’s office at Palácio Guanabara on May 29, 2026.
• State officials said the equipment appeared old and non-functional and that agents removed all devices at the scene.
• The GSI has launched an investigation to determine the origin of the devices and how they were installed in the governor’s workspace.
• Ricardo Couto became acting governor at the end of March and has mainly worked from the Tribunal de Justiça do Rio de Janeiro, which raises questions about access and timing.
• The report was first published on Míriam Leitão’s blog in O Globo and was corroborated by g1, and the probe could lead to security changes and political or legal follow‑up depending on the investigation’s findings.