Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro walks out of hospital on his own despite undergoing a grueling 12-hour surgery for intestinal damage sustained from a politically-motivated stabbing attack, yet remains under investigation by the leftist government for an alleged coup plot.
Key Takeaways
- Jair Bolsonaro has been discharged after a complex 12-hour abdominal surgery, his seventh operation since being stabbed by a leftist attacker during his 2018 presidential campaign.
- Despite doctors advising against it, Bolsonaro plans to attend a rally supporting amnesty for his supporters who allegedly vandalized government buildings in January 2023.
- Brazil’s Supreme Court is prosecuting Bolsonaro for an alleged coup plot to prevent leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration.
- After 17 days in intensive care and weeks of rehabilitation, Bolsonaro left the hospital under his own power, greeting supporters while projecting strength.
- Though barred from running in upcoming elections, Bolsonaro remains politically active and influential within Brazil’s conservative movement.
Bolsonaro’s Remarkable Recovery Following Life-Threatening Surgery
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been discharged from DF Star Hospital in Brasilia after undergoing what doctors described as the most complex surgery since his near-fatal 2018 stabbing. The 70-year-old conservative leader spent 17 days in intensive care following the intricate 12-hour operation on April 13, which was performed to relieve a severe intestinal obstruction and reconstruct parts of his abdominal wall. Despite the medical ordeal, Bolsonaro walked out of the hospital under his own power and immediately greeted enthusiastic supporters waving Brazilian flags.
“Thank you, my God, for this miracle,” declared Jair Bolsonaro upon his release from the hospital.
The surgery marked Bolsonaro’s seventh abdominal operation since he was stabbed by a leftist attacker during a campaign rally in 2018, an incident that caused permanent damage to his digestive system. The latest procedure was particularly risky, requiring doctors to carefully repair intestinal adhesions while addressing complex damage to his abdominal wall. During his recovery, Bolsonaro required feeding through tubes and extensive physical therapy before transitioning to a soft diet that he tolerated without complications.
Political Persecution Continues Despite Health Crisis
While recovering from life-threatening surgery, Bolsonaro continues to face political persecution from Brazil’s leftist government. The Supreme Court has announced plans to prosecute him for an alleged role in what they characterize as a “coup plot” to prevent current president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration. This prosecution appears to follow a pattern seen across several countries where populist conservative leaders face legal harassment after being replaced by leftist administrations.
“He is in very good health,” noted Leandro Echenique, one of Bolsonaro’s treating physicians. He expressed surprise at the speed of his recovery, given the complexity of the surgery.
Despite doctors advising against it, Bolsonaro has expressed determination to attend an upcoming rally in Brasilia organized to support amnesty for his supporters who were arrested after protesting at government buildings on January 8, 2023. Many conservatives view these protesters as political prisoners being held by the Lula administration without due process, drawing parallels to the treatment of January 6 protesters in the United States under the Biden administration.
Unwavering Determination Despite Legal and Health Obstacles
Prior to his hospitalization, Bolsonaro had been planning a political tour of Brazil’s northeastern regions to bolster support for conservative candidates in upcoming elections. Though he is currently barred from running for office himself due to politically motivated charges, his influence remains substantial within Brazilian politics. Upon leaving the hospital, Bolsonaro announced on social media that he felt “renewed” and ready to continue his political activities despite the obvious physical toll of his recent surgery.
“Back home, renewed,” Bolsonaro wrote in a social media post announcing his hospital discharge.
The assassination attempt against Bolsonaro in 2018, which caused the ongoing medical issues requiring multiple surgeries, represents the extreme political polarization in Brazil. Despite the constant health challenges and legal persecution, Bolsonaro continues to maintain significant popular support, particularly among conservatives who view him as a bulwark against the corruption and socialist policies of the Lula administration. His resilience in the face of both physical and political attacks has only strengthened his standing among his base.
