Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro undergoes successful hernia surgery while jailed for coup-plotting; endorses son Flávio for 2026 presidency.

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Jair Bolsonaro Undergoes Successful Hernia Surgery in Jail and Endorses Son for 2026 Election

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for coup-plotting, has undergone a successful double hernia surgery in Brasília. His wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, confirmed the positive outcome of the procedure, which was conducted after Brazil’s Supreme Court authorized his temporary transfer from federal police headquarters to a hospital in the capital.

Background: Jair Bolsonaro‘s Imprisonment

Jair Bolsonaro, age 70, was convicted and sentenced earlier this year for orchestrating a plot to prevent his left-wing rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, from assuming office after losing Brazil’s 2022 presidential election. Despite attempts to secure support from senior military officials, the plot failed, culminating in the storming of government buildings in Brasília by Bolsonaro supporters on January 8, 2023.

Although he is imprisoned, Jair Bolsonaro continues to exert major political influence in Brazil. Recently, a bill passed by Congress sought to reduce his sentence, but President Lula has vowed to veto it.
Learn more about Brazil’s political turmoil at BBC News.

Bolsonaro Endorses Son Flávio for 2026 Presidential Race

On the eve of his surgery, Jair Bolsonaro endorsed his eldest son, Flávio Bolsonaro, a 44-year-old senator, as the Liberal Party candidate for the 2026 presidential election. The endorsement was made in a handwritten letter, which Flávio read to reporters outside the hospital.

“During my life, I have fought tough battles, paying a high price with both my health and my family, to defend what I think is best for our country… I hand over what is most important in the life of a father — my own son for the mission of rescuing our country, Brazil,” wrote Jair Bolsonaro.

Flávio Bolsonaro had already expressed his intention to run and claimed his father had entrusted him with “the mission of continuing our national project.” The publication of the letter in Brazilian media is considered final confirmation of his candidacy.

Lula to Seek Re-election in 2026

Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has also announced his candidacy for another term, setting the stage for a potentially fierce showdown in October 2026.
In the previous election, Lula narrowly defeated Jair Bolsonaro in a runoff, a result which Bolsonaro fiercely contested, eventually leading to his imprisonment.

Current Situation and Future Prospects

Following his surgery, Jair Bolsonaro is expected to return to federal police custody upon receiving medical clearance. Despite his incarceration, he remains a central figure in Brazilian politics and continues to shape the country’s right-wing movement.

For ongoing coverage and news analysis about Brazil’s political landscape, visit authoritative sources such as the BBC World Latin America section.

Related Internal Resource

Read more about the aftermath of the 2023 coup attempt in Brazil.