Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, is experiencing serious health complications following recent intestinal surgery and is currently in intensive care, facing new legal challenges related to coup charges stemming from his controversial presidency.
Jair Bolsonaro's Health Declines Amid Coup Charges and Legal Battles
Jair Bolsonaro's Health Declines Amid Coup Charges and Legal Battles
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faces deteriorating health while hospitalized as he prepares to defend himself against coup accusations linked to the 2022 election.
The health condition of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has significantly declined following an intestinal surgery performed earlier this month. As per his medical team, the 70-year-old politician remains in intensive care and is set to undergo further examinations to assess his condition.
On Wednesday, a court official visited Bolsonaro in the hospital to deliver a summons, mandating him to provide his initial defense against existing coup charges within five days. This legal proceeding stems from accusations that Bolsonaro orchestrated a right-wing coup attempt after his electoral defeat in 2022 to current leftist President Lula da Silva.
In footage capturing the incident, Bolsonaro was visibly agitated by the summons, exclaiming, “I have five days to present my defense?” His alleged involvement in the coup attempt included claims that his supporters stormed government buildings, alongside investigations suggesting he had discussions with military figures regarding retaining power through unconstitutional means.
Bolsonaro's health struggles initially began after a near-fatal stabbing in 2018 during his presidential campaign in Minas Gerais, which resulted in substantial blood loss and emergency surgical intervention. He has consistently refuted the coup allegations and accused political adversaries of pursuing a vendetta against him.
Adding to the complexity of this situation, Bolsonaro had recorded a live YouTube session from his hospital bed just a day before the delivery of the summons, an action taken despite medical advice against having visitors. The Brazilian Supreme Court subsequently argued this incident demonstrated he was fit for the legal summons.
While Bolsonaro had aspirations of contesting the presidential elections again in 2026, he currently faces a prohibition on seeking office and potentially up to 40 years of imprisonment if found guilty of the charges levied against him.
