Former president has to go under the knife again

Chronic hiccups

Brazil: Bolsonaro needs another operation

Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro, who was convicted of attempting a coup, is again in the hospital. Nerves have to be blocked.

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was treated for persistent hiccups on Saturday. The 70-year-old had an operation on the phrenic nerve, his wife Michelle Bolsonaro said on social media. According to the treating doctors, the right phrenic nerve was initially blocked. Another operation on the left nerve is planned in 48 hours. Bolsonaro was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for a hernia operation.

The ex-president is currently serving a prison sentence. He was off the Supreme Court in September
Brazil sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup. A court judge, Alexandre de Moraes, had authorized him to break his detention for the operation at the request of his defense lawyers. During his hospital stay, Bolsonaro expressed support for his son Flavio to run for president in 2026.

Bolsonaro’s health has been considered poor since a knife attack in September 2018 during a campaign event. Since the attack, he has had to undergo several abdominal operations.