Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro has undergone a procedure to treat chronic hiccups while in custody for coup plotting after losing the 2022 election.

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Jair Bolsonaro Receives Medical Procedure for Chronic Hiccups While Serving Sentence

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has undergone a non-surgical medical procedure to address his chronic hiccups, according to his medical team. This comes amid his ongoing imprisonment for attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election in Brazil.

Details of Bolsonaro’s Hiccup Treatment

The procedure performed on Saturday “went well,” stated one of Bolsonaro’s doctors, while Dr. Claudio Birolini clarified it was not surgery and lasted about an hour. The treatment focused on blocking the right phrenic nerve, which plays a crucial role in the diaphragm’s movement. Hiccups are often triggered by irritation or involuntary spasms in the diaphragm, sometimes due to phrenic nerve issues.

Michelle Bolsonaro, his wife, highlighted the severity of his condition, stating, “It’s been nine months of struggle and anguish with daily hiccups.” She reported on social media that the right phrenic nerve was blocked to alleviate the symptoms. The medical team plans to address the left nerve in a follow-up procedure scheduled for Monday.

Medical Background and Recent Surgeries

This latest medical procedure for chronic hiccups followed a successful double hernia surgery earlier in the week. Bolsonaro was permitted a temporary transfer to the hospital from custody for surgery and subsequent medical care.

Causation and Phrenic Nerve Explained

The phrenic nerves control diaphragmatic movements, enabling lungs to inhale and exhale. When these nerves become irritated, involuntary contractions—or hiccups—can persist, sometimes for months as seen in Bolsonaro’s case. For more on phrenic nerve function, see the NCBI medical reference.

Political and Legal Context

The far-right ex-president is serving a 27-year sentence after being found guilty of plotting a coup. He lost the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, resulting in heightened political tensions in Brazil.

Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest during his appeals, but after being deemed a “concrete flight risk”—allegedly attempting to tamper with his ankle monitor and planning to use a rally as cover for a potential escape—he was transferred to police custody. In September, the court found him guilty, and Brazil’s Supreme Court has since expanded house arrest orders to ten former officials from his government involved in the coup plot.

For continuous updates on Brazil’s political landscape, visit our Brazil Politics section.

Bolsonaro’s Endorsement for the 2026 Election

Before his recent surgery, Bolsonaro used a handwritten letter to endorse his son Flávio as a candidate against President Lula in the upcoming 2026 election. The message was read publicly by Flávio Bolsonaro outside the hospital, signaling ongoing political ambitions within the Bolsonaro family.

What’s Next for Bolsonaro?

Upon recovery and discharge, Bolsonaro will return to his cell at the federal police headquarters to continue serving his sentence. His legal team is actively contesting the verdict, but for now, the former president remains under close supervision both medically and legally.

Related Coverage

• Bolsonaro taken into police custody
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