Former Brazil President Hospitalized Amid Legal and Health Challenges

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was flown to the capital, Brasília, on Saturday after being hospitalized with severe abdominal pain the previous day. The right-wing leader, 70, was touring the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte when he required urgent medical attention.

Doctors attributed the pain to complications from a near-fatal stabbing during his 2018 presidential campaign. The attack, which left him with significant blood loss and necessitated emergency surgery, has led to recurring health issues, including multiple operations during his 2019–2022 presidency.

"Most Serious Episode Since the Attack"

In a social media post on Saturday, Bolsonaro described this as "the most serious" health crisis since the stabbing, indicating he may require another surgery—his fifth since the incident.

"After so many similar episodes over the past few years, I had grown accustomed to the pain and discomfort. But this time, even the doctors were surprised," he wrote.

Medical staff at Rio Grande Hospital in Rio Grande do Norte confirmed he was stable and did not require emergency surgery. He was initially treated locally before being transferred to Natal and later to Brasília via medical aircraft.

Legal and Political Challenges Loom

Bolsonaro’s hospitalization comes amid a nationwide tour advocating for an amnesty bill for supporters who stormed government buildings following his 2022 election loss to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Last month, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled that Bolsonaro must stand trial for allegedly conspiring to overturn the election results. He has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.

Despite being barred from public office until 2030—due to unfounded claims of electoral fraud—Bolsonaro has sought to position himself as a key figure in next year’s elections. His health struggles and legal battles continue to shape his controversial legacy in Brazilian politics.