The jailed ex-president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has undergone a successful surgery for a double hernia, according to his wife, Michelle.
The former leader is currently serving a 27-year sentence for planning a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Brazil's Supreme Court approved Bolsonaro's transfer from the room in the federal police headquarters, where he is serving his sentence, to a hospital in Brasília to undergo the surgery.
Before the procedure, Bolsonaro publicly endorsed his eldest son, Flávio, for the upcoming 2026 presidential race.
The letter endorsing Flávio was read by him outside the hospital, emphasizing the family's political legacy. In it, Jair Bolsonaro expressed his enduring commitment to Brazil and entrusted his son to continue their political mission.
As Flávio prepares for the race, he has already declared himself a candidate under the Liberal Party, supported by a letter from his father acknowledging the challenges ahead.
Currently, President Lula has confirmed his intention to run in the October 2026 elections, setting the stage for another tense electoral showdown following the contentious 2022 presidential race.
In that election, Jair Bolsonaro's refusal to accept the results and an alleged coup plot led to his remarkable sentencing this past September. Amid debates on shortening his sentence, Bolsonaro's political influence remains significant despite his convictions.
Following the surgery, Jair Bolsonaro is expected to return to the federal police facility as medical assessments allow.
