Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is recovering in the ICU after a complex 12-hour abdominal surgery on Sunday (13). This marks his sixth operation related to the injuries suffered during the stabbing in the 2018 campaign.
Bolsonaro, 70, was hospitalized on Friday (11) after feeling severe abdominal pains during a political event in Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte. His condition was later diagnosed as an intestinal subobstruction, a complication arising from previous surgeries. He was transferred to Brasília for treatment at Hospital DF Star.
The surgery aimed to treat intestinal adhesions and reconstruct the abdominal wall. The medical team reported that the procedure was challenging due to Bolsonaro’s previous surgical history, but it proceeded without unexpected complications and achieved satisfactory results.
This latest health issue arises as Bolsonaro remains active in Brazilian politics. He has been campaigning for Congress to approve an amnesty bill for supporters involved in the disturbances in the capital in January 2023, following his electoral defeat. Additionally, he faces legal challenges, including a trial in the Supreme Court for alleged attempts to annul the 2022 election results. Although ineligible for public office until 2030, Bolsonaro maintains his presidential ambitions for the next election, positioning himself as a challenger to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.