Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (70) shared his health status on social media after undergoing his sixth abdominal surgery, a consequence of the knife attack he suffered during his 2018 presidential campaign. On the 16th (local time), he posted a video of himself walking in a hospital corridor, along with the message, "Don't give up! Brazil, let's move forward!" In the video, he was seen walking with the aid of a walker, with electrodes attached to his chest, and medical staff supporting him on both sides.
Bolsonaro further revealed in additional messages that his condition was serious and he was in isolation. He explained that he was communicating only with family and medical staff during his recovery period, following medical advice and taking "utmost care." He added, "This was the most invasive surgery I've had so far," and that he was focusing on recovery.
On the 12th, he had to cancel a scheduled rally in Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, due to "severe abdominal pain from small intestine complications." He was transferred to the Aluízio Bezerra Municipal Hospital in Santa Cruz and the Rio Grande Hospital in Natal before being moved to Brasília. His most recent surgery took place on the 14th at the DF Star Hospital, lasting 12 hours, according to his team.
In his recent social media posts, Bolsonaro criticized the Workers' Party (PT), claiming that the perpetrator of the September 2018 attack was a "former member of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), a historical ally of the PT." His supporters have claimed, without evidence, that leftist leaders orchestrated the attack, but the Brazilian Federal Police found no connection between the PT and the attack.
Bolsonaro has been criticized for spreading conspiracy theories about his electoral rivals. During the 2018 and 2022 presidential campaigns, he claimed that Brazil's electronic voting system was unreliable and rife with fraud, allegations that were unfounded. These statements led to his being banned from holding public office until 2030 for abusing his power during his presidency to incite fear about the voting system.
Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil's president from 2019 to 2022, faces several legal challenges, including a legal battle over whether he was involved in attempts to destabilize the government of current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Lula is a member of the PT and narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in the October 2022 runoff election, beginning his third term.
Post-election chaos ensued. Bolsonaro did not publicly concede defeat, although reports suggest he did so privately. His supporters blocked roads and stormed the Brasilia police headquarters in an attempt to prevent Lula's inauguration. Bolsonaro and his supporters attempted to challenge the election results in court, but Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes deemed their claims to be made with "complete bad faith" and imposed a $4.3 million fine.
Tensions peaked shortly after Lula's inauguration. On January 8, 2023, thousands of rioters gathered in Brasília's Three Powers Plaza, storming and vandalizing government buildings, including the Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidential Palace. Lula described the attack as an attempted coup and demanded justice. Although Bolsonaro was in Florida at the time, critics accused him and his supporters of secretly pressuring the military to overthrow Lula.
On March 26, the Brazilian Supreme Court ordered Bolsonaro to stand trial for his alleged role in the coup attempt. The Federal Police, in an 884-page report last November, charged Bolsonaro and 36 others with involvement in a criminal plot to assassinate Lula, the vice president, and Justice Moraes. According to the indictment, their goal was to establish a transitional government and reinstate Bolsonaro to power. Prosecutors have charged Bolsonaro with several offenses, including attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. Bolsonaro maintains his innocence and claims to be a victim of political persecution.
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